PSALMS

The Thirty-Ninth Psalm

Dixi, Custodiam.

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I SAID, I will take heed to my ways, * that I offend not in my tongue
 
I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle, * while the ungodly is in my sight.
 
I held my tongue, and spake nothing: * I kept silence, yea, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.
 
My heart was hot within me: and while I was thus musing the fire kindled, *and at the last I spake with my tongue:
 
LORD, let me know mine end, and the number of my days; * that I may be certified how long I have to live.
 
Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long, and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; * and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
 
For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain; * he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
 
And now, Lord, what is my hope? * truly my hope is even in thee.
 
Deliver me from all mine offences; * and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
 
I became dumb, and opened not my mouth; * for it was thy doing.
 
Take thy plague away from me: * I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.
 
When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment: * every man therefore is but vanity.
 
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and with thine ears consider my calling; * hold not thy peace at my tears;
 
For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, * as all my fathers were.
 
O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, * before I go hence, and be no more seen.