Psalm 39a

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

1 I said, “I will watch my waysp

and keep my tongue from sin;q

I will put a muzzle on my mouthr

while in the presence of the wicked.”

2 So I remained utterly silent,s

not even saying anything good.

But my anguisht increased;

3 my heart grew hotu within me.

While I meditated,v the firew burned;

then I spoke with my tongue:

4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end

and the number of my days;x

let me know how fleetingy my life is.z

5 You have made my daysa a mere handbreadth;

the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Everyone is but a breath,b

even those who seem secure.b

6 “Surely everyone goes aroundc like a mere phantom;d

in vain they rush about,e heaping up wealthf

without knowing whose it will finally be.g

7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?

My hope is in you.h

8 Save mei from all my transgressions;j

do not make me the scornk of fools.

9 I was silent;l I would not open my mouth,m

for you are the one who has done this.n

10 Remove your scourge from me;

I am overcome by the blowo of your hand.p

11 When you rebukeq and discipliner anyone for their sin,

you consumes their wealth like a motht—

surely everyone is but a breath.u

12 “Hear my prayer, Lord,

listen to my cry for help;v

do not be deafw to my weeping.x

I dwell with you as a foreigner,y

a stranger,z as all my ancestors were.a

13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again

before I depart and am no more.”b

Psalm 40a

40:13–17pp—Ps 70:1–5

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

1 I waited patientlyc for the Lord;

he turned to me and heard my cry.d

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,e

out of the mudf and mire;g

he set my feeth on a rocki

and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new songj in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lordk

and put their trustl in him.

4 Blessed is the onem

who trusts in the Lord,n

who does not look to the proud,o

to those who turn aside to false gods.b p

5 Many, Lord my God,

are the wondersq you have done,

the things you planned for us.

None can comparer with you;

were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

they would be too manys to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—t

but my ears you have openedc—u

burnt offeringsv and sin offeringsd you did not require.

7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—

it is written about me in the scroll.e w

8 I desire to do your will,x my God;y

your law is within my heart.”z

9 I proclaim your saving actsa in the great assembly;b

I do not seal my lips, Lord,

as you know.c

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;

I speak of your faithfulnessd and your saving help.

I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness

from the great assembly.e

11 Do not withhold your mercyf from me, Lord;

may your loveg and faithfulnessh always protecti me.

12 For troublesj without number surround me;

my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.k

They are more than the hairs of my head,l

and my heart failsm within me.

13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;

come quickly, Lord, to help me.n

14 May all who want to take my lifeo

be put to shame and confusion;p

may all who desire my ruinq

be turned back in disgrace.

15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”r

be appalled at their own shame.

16 But may all who seek yous

rejoice and be gladt in you;

may those who long for your saving help always say,

“The Lord is great!”u

17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;v

may the Lord thinkw of me.

You are my helpx and my deliverer;y

you are my God, do not delay.z