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(A psalm by David for Jeduthun, the music leader.)

A Prayer for Forgiveness

I told myself, “I'll be careful
    not to sin by what I say,
and I'll muzzle my mouth
    when evil people are near.”
I kept completely silent,
but it did no good,[a]
    and I hurt even worse.

I felt a fire burning inside,
    and the more I thought,
the more it burned,
    until at last I said:

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Footnotes

  1. 39.2 but … good: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

Psalm 39[a]

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

I said, “I will watch my ways(A)
    and keep my tongue from sin;(B)
I will put a muzzle on my mouth(C)
    while in the presence of the wicked.”
So I remained utterly silent,(D)
    not even saying anything good.
But my anguish(E) increased;
    my heart grew hot(F) within me.
While I meditated,(G) the fire(H) burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.