• Psalm 39
• Dixi, Custodiam

¹I said, "I will keep watch upon my ways, *

so that I do not offend with my tongue.

² I will put a muzzle on my mouth *

while the wicked are in my presence."

³ So I held my tongue and said nothing; *

I refrained from rash words;

but my pain became unbearable.

⁴ My heart was hot within me;

while I pondered, the fire burst into flame; *

I spoke out with my tongue:

⁵ LORD, let me know my end and the number of my days, *

so that I may know how short my life is.

⁶ You have given me a mere handful of days,

and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight; *

truly, even those who stand erect are but a puff of wind.

⁷ We walk about like a shadow,

and in vain we are in turmoil; *

we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them.

⁸ And now, what is my hope? *

O Lord, my hope is in you.

⁹ Deliver me from all my transgressions *

and do not make me the taunt of the fool.

¹⁰ I fell silent and did not open my mouth, *

for surely it was you that did it.

¹¹ Take your affliction from me; *

I am worn down by the blows of your hand.

¹² With rebukes for sin you punish us;

like a moth you eat away all that is dear to us; *

truly, everyone is but a puff of wind.

¹³ Hear my prayer, O LORD,

and give ear to my cry; *

hold not your peace at my tears.

¹⁴ For I am but a sojourner with you, *

a wayfarer, as all my forebears were.

¹⁵ Turn your gaze from me, that I may be glad again, *

before I go my way and am no more.