To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.*39.1 my mouth…: Heb. a bridle, or, muzzle for my mouth

2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.*39.2 stirred: Heb. troubled

3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.*39.4 how…: or, what time I have here

5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.*39.5 at…: Heb. settled

6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.*39.6 a vain…: Heb. an image

7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.*39.10 blow: Heb. conflict

11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.*39.11 his…: Heb. that which is to be desired in him to melt away

12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

1 VIR die musiekleier; vir Jedútun. 'n Psalm van Dawid.

2 Ek het gesê: Ek wil my weë bewaar, sodat ek nie sondig met my tong nie; ek wil my mond in toom hou solank as die goddelose nog voor my is.

3 Ek was stom in stilte, ek het geswyg, ver van die goeie af; maar my smart is aangewakker.

4 My hart het warm geword in my binneste; 'n vuur het ontvlam by my gesug; ek het gespreek met my tong:

5 Here, maak my einde aan my bekend en wat die maat van my dae is; laat my weet hoe verganklik ek is.

6 Kyk, U het my dae 'n paar handbreedtes gemaak, en my leeftyd is soos niks voor U nie; ja, as pure nietigheid staan elke mens daar! Sela.

7 Waarlik, die mens wandel as skadubeeld rond; ja, hulle woel verniet; hulle stapel op en weet nie wie dit sal insamel nie.

8 En nou, wat verwag ek, o Here? My hoop is op U.

9 Red my van al my oortredinge; maak my nie 'n smaad van die dwaas nie.

10 Ek is stom, ek sal my mond nie oopmaak nie; want Ú het dit gedoen.

11 Neem u plaag van my weg; ek vergaan vanweë die bestryding van u hand.

12 Tugtig U die mens met strawwe oor die ongeregtigheid, dan laat U sy skoonheid vergaan soos deur 'n mot; ja, elke mens is 'n asemtog! Sela.

13 Hoor, Here, my gebed, en luister na my hulpgeroep; swyg nie by my trane nie; want ek is 'n vreemdeling by U, 'n bywoner soos al my vaders.

14 Wend u oog van my af, dat ek vrolik kan word voordat ek heengaan en daar nie meer is nie.