Psalm 39

New International Version

from Biblica

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

1 I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.’ 

2 So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; 

3 my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 

4 ‘Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. 

5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. 

6 ‘Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. 

7 ‘But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. 

8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. 

9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. 

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

11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth – surely everyone is but a breath. 

12 ‘Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were. 

13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.’ 

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Psalm 39

King James Version

1 To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. 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. 

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

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

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

5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 

6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches , and knoweth not who shall gather them. 

7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. 

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. 

9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it . 

10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. 

11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. 

12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were . 

13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. 

King James Bible (1769). Public Domain.
Please note the following exceptions for use and publication in the United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

Psalm 39

Elberfelder Bibel

from SCM Verlag

Psalm 39

1 Dem Chorleiter. Für Jedutun. Ein Psalm. Von David. (Ps 62:1; Ps 77:1) 

2 Ich sprach: Ich will auf meine Wege achthaben, dass ich nicht sündige mit meiner Zunge; ich will meinen Mund im Zaum halten, solange der Gottlose vor mir ist. (Ps 34:14; Ps 119:33; Ps 141:3) 

3 Ich verstummte in Schweigen, schwieg – fern vom Guten. Da wurde mein Schmerz erregt. 

4 Mein Herz wurde heiß in meinem Innern, bei meinem Stöhnen entbrannte ein Feuer; ich sprach mit meiner Zunge: (Ps 90:12) 

5 Tue mir kund, HERR, mein Ende und welches das Maß meiner Tage ist, damit ich erkenne, wie vergänglich ich bin! (Ps 90:9) 

6 Siehe, handbreit hast du meine Tage gemacht, und meine Lebenszeit ist wie nichts vor dir; nur ein Hauch ist jeder Mensch, wie fest er auch steht. // (Ps 89:48; Ps 144:4; Jas 4:14) 

7 Nur als ein Schattenbild wandelt der Mann einher; nur um Nichtigkeit lärmen sie; er häuft auf und weiß nicht, wer es einsammeln wird. (Job 14:2; Ps 49:11; Ec 2:21; Lu 12:20) 

8 Und nun, auf was harre ich, Herr? Meine Hoffnung, sie gilt dir! (Ps 130:6) 

9 Rette mich von allen meinen Vergehen, mach mich nicht dem Narren zum Hohn! 

10 Ich bin verstummt, mache meinen Mund nicht auf; denn du, du hast gehandelt. 

11 Nimm von mir deine Plage! Vom Streit deiner Hand ⟨gegen mich⟩ vergehe ich. 

12 Strafst du einen Mann mit Züchtigungen wegen ⟨seiner⟩ Schuld, so lässt du seine Schönheit wie die Motte zergehen; nur ein Hauch sind alle Menschen. // (Job 13:28; Ps 90:9) 

13 Höre mein Gebet, HERR, und vernimm mein Schreien; schweige nicht zu meinen Tränen! Denn ein Fremdling bin ich bei dir, ein Beisasse wie alle meine Väter. (Le 25:23; 1Ch 29:15; Ps 18:7; Ps 119:19; Heb 11:13) 

14 Blicke von mir weg, dass ich ⟨noch einmal⟩ fröhlich werde, bevor ich dahingehe und nicht mehr bin! (Job 10:20) 

Elberfelder Bibel 2006, © 2006 by SCM R.Brockhaus in der SCM Verlagsgruppe GmbH, Witten/Holzgerlingen