Psalm 39

I said, I will take heed to my ways:¹ that I offend not in my tongue.

I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle: while the ungodly is in my sight.

I held my tongue, and spoke nothing: I kept silence, yes, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.

My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled: and at the last I spoke with my tongue;

Lord, let me know my end, and the number of my days: that I may be certified how long I have to live.

Behold, you have made my days as it were a span long: and my age is even as nothing in respect of you; and verily every man living is altogether vanity.

For man walks in a vain shadow, and disquiets himself in vain: he heaps up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.

And now, Lord, what is my hope: truly my hope is even in you.

Deliver me from all my offences: and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish. I became dumb, and opened not my mouth:

for it was your doing.

Take your plague away from me: I am even consumed by means of your heavy hand.

When you with rebukes do chasten man for sin, you make his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment: every man therefore is but vanity.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with your ears consider my calling: hold not your peace at my tears.

For I am a stranger with you: and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength: before I go hence, and be no more seen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;²

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.³