Psalm 39

I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin ·err (the standard goal)· with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”

I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:

“Adonai, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.

Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.

“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and does not know who shall gather.

Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

Deliver me from all my rebellious breaches of relationships. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.

I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.

Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

When you rebuke and correct man for depravity (moral evil), You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.

“Sh'ma ·Hear obey· my prayer, Adonai, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.

Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more.”