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39:1 To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, 'I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue;I will bridle my mouth, so long as the wicked are in my presence.' 39:2 I was dumb and silent, I held my peace to no avail;my distress grew worse, 39:3 my heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned;then I spoke with my tongue: 39:4 'LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days;let me know how fleeting my life is! 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in thy sight. Surely every man stands as a mere breath! [Selah] 39:6 Surely man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nought are they in turmoil;man heaps up, and knows not who will gather! 39:7 'And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in thee. 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Make me not the scorn of the fool! 39:9 I am dumb, I do not open my mouth;for it is thou who hast done it. 39:10 Remove thy stroke from me;I am spent by the blows of thy hand. 39:11 When thou dost chasten man with rebukes for sin, thou dost consume like a moth what is dear to him;surely every man is a mere breath! [Selah] 39:12 'Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry;hold not thy peace at my tears! For I am thy passing guest, a sojourner, like all my fathers. 39:13 Look away from me, that I may know gladness, before I depart and be no more!' 39:14