Psalms 39

Psalm 39

Prayer for Wisdom and Forgiveness

1I said, “I will guard my ways[#1 Kings 2.4; Job 2.10; Jas 3.2]

that I may not sin with my tongue;

I will keep a muzzle on my mouth

as long as the wicked are in my presence.”

2I was silent and still;[#Ps 38.13]

I held my peace to no avail;

my distress grew worse;

3my heart became hot within me.

While I mused, the fire burned;

then I spoke with my tongue:

4“Lord , let me know my end[#Ps 90.12; 103.14]

and what is the measure of my days;

let me know how fleeting my life is.

5You have made my days a few handbreadths,[#Ps 62.9; 89.47; 144.4]

and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight.

Surely everyone stands as a mere breath. Selah

6Surely everyone goes about like a shadow.[#Job 27.17; Ps 127.2; Lk 12.20; 1 Pet 1.24]

Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;

they heap up and do not know who will gather.

7“And now, O Lord, what do I wait for?[#Ps 38.15]

My hope is in you.

8Deliver me from all my transgressions.[#Ps 44.13; 51.9]

Do not make me the scorn of the fool.

9I am silent; I do not open my mouth,[#v 2 ; Job 2.10]

for it is you who have done it.

10Remove your stroke from me;[#Job 9.34; Ps 32.4]

I am worn down by the blows of your hand.

11“You chastise mortals[#v 5 ; Job 13.28; 2 Pet 2.16]

in punishment for sin,

consuming like a moth what is dear to them;

surely everyone is a mere breath. Selah

12“Hear my prayer, O Lord ,[#Ps 56.8; 102.1; Heb 11.13; 1 Pet 2.11]

and give ear to my cry;

do not hold your peace at my tears.

For I am your passing guest,

an alien, like all my forebears.

13Turn your gaze away from me, that I may smile again,[#Job 10.20; 14.10]

before I depart and am no more.”

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ