Psalm 39
To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue;
I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle,
While the wicked are before me."
2 I was mute with silence,
I held my peace even from good;
And my sorrow was stirred up.
3 My heart was hot within me;
While I was musing, the fire burned.
Then I spoke with my tongue:
4"Lord, make me to know my end,
And what is the measure of my days,
That I may know how frail I am.
5 Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths,
And my age is as nothing before You;
Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.
Selah
6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow;
Surely they busy themselves in vain;
He heaps up riches,
And does not know who will gather them.
7"And now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in You.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions;
Do not make me the reproach of the foolish.
9 I was mute, I did not open my mouth,
Because it was You who did it.
10 Remove Your plague from me;
I am consumed by the blow of Your hand.
11 When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity,
You make his beauty melt away like a moth;
Surely every man is vapor.
Selah
12"Hear my prayer, O Lord,
And give ear to my cry;
Do not be silent at my tears;
For I am a stranger with You,
A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength,
Before I go away and am no more."
MY PRAYER
Father, strengthen me to control my tongue.
May I speak that which is helpful,
Returning kindness for evil,
And being gracious always.
God, remind me daily of the brevity of life
And of my shortcomings and frailty.
I know my time here is short;
Help me to live intentionally for You always.
May I be content, O LORD, with the blessings You bestow.
May I be busy with Your business
And not pursuing riches out of vanity.
Dear LORD, I know I have no hope outside of You.
Deliver me from my sins, I beg You.
You are righteous and You alone!
Amen.