Psalms 39

The psalmist resolves to guard his tongue but cannot hold back his grief. He asks the LORD to show him the measure of his days and confesses that every man at his best state is altogether vanity. He prays: spare me before I go away and am no more.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	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.	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	I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.	So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased;
3	My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,	my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke 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.	"Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
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.	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 every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.	Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.
7	And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.	But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in You.
8	Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.	Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.
9	I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.	I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for You are the one who has done this.
10	Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.	Remove Your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of Your 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.	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, 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.	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	O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.	Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more."