Psalm 39[a]

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

I said, “I will watch my ways(A)
    and keep my tongue from sin;(B)
I will put a muzzle on my mouth(C)
    while in the presence of the wicked.”
So I remained utterly silent,(D)
    not even saying anything good.
But my anguish(E) increased;
    my heart grew hot(F) within me.
While I meditated,(G) the fire(H) burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;(I)
    let me know how fleeting(J) my life is.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.

39 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.

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

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

Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.

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Hide your face from my sins(A)
    and blot out(B) all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart,(C) O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.(D)
11 Do not cast me(E) from your presence(F)
    or take your Holy Spirit(G) from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation(H)
    and grant me a willing spirit,(I) to sustain me.(J)

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,(K)
    so that sinners(L) will turn back to you.(M)
14 Deliver me(N) from the guilt of bloodshed,(O) O God,
    you who are God my Savior,(P)
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.(Q)
15 Open my lips, Lord,(R)
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice,(S) or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice,(T) O God, is[a] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart(U)
    you, God, will not despise.

18 May it please you to prosper Zion,(V)
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.(W)
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,(X)
    in burnt offerings(Y) offered whole;
    then bulls(Z) will be offered on your altar.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 51:17 Or The sacrifices of God are

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

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