Psalm 38 — The Holy Bible

For the End, for Jeduthun; an ode by David.

I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue;

I set a guard on my mouth

When the sinner stood against me.”

I was deadened and humbled; and I kept silent, even from good;

And my grief was stirred anew.

My heart was hot within me,

And in my meditation, fire will be kindled.

I spoke with my tongue,

“O Lord, make me to know my end,

And what is the measure of my days,

So as to know what I lack.

Behold, You made my days as a handbreadth,

And my existence is as nothing before You;

But all things are vanity, and every man living.

(Pause)

“Nevertheless man walks about like a phantom;

Surely in vain they stir themselves up;

He stores up treasure, but does not know for whom he will gather it.

And now what is my patience?

Is it not the Lord?

And my support is from You.

Deliver me from all my transgressions;

You made me a reproach to the undiscerning.

I was dumb and opened not my mouth;

For You are He who made me.

Take away Your scourges from me;

Because of the strength of Your hand I fainted.

With rebukes You chasten a man for his transgression,

And You cause his soul to waste away like a spider web;

But every man stirs himself up in vain.

(Pause)

“Hear my prayer, O Lord,

And give ear to my supplication;

Do not be silent at my tears,

For I am a sojourner before You,

And a stranger, as were all my fathers.

Do not forsake me, that I may revive

Before I depart and am no longer here.”