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Psalm 39

Show Me My Life’s End

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For the choir director. For Jeduthun.[a] A psalm by David.

The Psalmist’s Anguish

I said, “I will guard my ways
so that I do not sin with my tongue.
I will keep a muzzle on my mouth
    as long as the wicked are confronting me.”
I said nothing. I kept silent.
I did not even say anything good,
but my pain became worse.
Inside me my heart grew hot.
As I fretted, the fire burned.
So I spoke with my tongue.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:1 For Jeduthun may refer to the director of music to whom David entrusted this psalm. Or, if translated according to Jeduthun, this may refer to a musical style or a melody associated with Jeduthun.

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.