Chapter 39

  To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.  

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  I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.  

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  My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then I spoke with my tongue.  

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  LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.  

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  Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth; and my age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.  

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  Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.  

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  And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.  

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  Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.  

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  I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.  

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  Remove thy stroke away from me; I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.  

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  When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.  

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  Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.  

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  O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.  

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