Psalms 39

1To the Overseer, to Jeduthun. --A Psalm of David. I have said, `I observe my ways, Against sinning with my tongue, I keep for my mouth a curb, while the wicked <FI>is<Fi> before me.'

1Unto the end, a psalm for David himself.

2I was dumb <FI>with<Fi> silence, I kept silent from good, and my pain is excited.

2With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me.

3Hot <FI>is<Fi> my heart within me, In my meditating doth the fire burn, I have spoken with my tongue.

3And he heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps.

4`Cause me to know, O Jehovah, mine end, And the measure of my days--what it <FI>is<Fi> ,' I know how frail I <FI>am<Fi> .

4And he put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord.

5Lo, handbreadths Thou hast made my days, And mine age <FI>is<Fi> as nothing before Thee, Only, all vanity <FI>is<Fi> every man set up. Selah.

5Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord; and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.

6Only, in an image doth each walk habitually, Only, <FI>in<Fi> vain, they are disquieted, He heapeth up and knoweth not who gathereth them.

6Thou hast multiplied thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: and in thy thoughts there is no one like to thee. I have declared and I have spoken they are multiplied above number.

7And, now, what have I expected? O Lord, my hope--it <FI>is<Fi> of Thee.

7Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:

8From all my transgressions deliver me, A reproach of the fool make me not.

8Then said I, Behold I come. In the head of the book it is written of me

9I have been dumb, I open not my mouth, Because Thou--Thou hast done <FI>it<Fi> .

9That I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart.

10Turn aside from off me Thy stroke, From the striving of Thy hand I have been consumed.

10I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.

11With reproofs against iniquity, Thou hast corrected man, And dost waste as a moth his desirableness, Only, vanity <FI>is<Fi> every man. Selah.

11I have not hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council.

12Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, And <FI>to<Fi> my cry give ear, Unto my tear be not silent, For a sojourner I <FI>am<Fi> with Thee, A settler like all my fathers.

12Withhold not thou, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me.

13Look from me, and I brighten up before I go and am not!

13For evils without number have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not able to see. They are multiplied above the hairs of my head: and my heart hath forsaken me.

14(not in this translation)

14Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me. Look down, O Lord, to help me.

15(not in this translation)

15Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that desire evils to me.

16(not in this translation)

16Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me: 'Tis well, 'tis well.

17(not in this translation)

17Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.

18(not in this translation)

18But I am a beggar and poor: the Lord is careful for me. Thou art my helper and my protector: O my God, be not slack.