Psalm 39 v1-5 of 13 "I said, “Now let me watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin." Sing Psalms

Psalm 39 v1-5 of 13
"I said, “Now let me watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin."
Sing Psalms
Tune: Orlington
Falkirk Free Church

The images are only intended to provide resonances with some aspects of the psalm; they are not intended as a one-to-one correspondence.
image: Job sitting in silence (Job 2).

PSALM 39 C.M.

1 I said, “Now let me watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin.
I’ll put a muzzle on my mouth
while I’m with wicked men.”

2 When I was silent and kept still
and firmly held my peace,
Not speaking even what was good,
this made my pain increase.

3 Because of this my heart grew hot;
the fire burned strong indeed
The more I mused upon it all.
Then I began to plead:

4 “LORD, show me that my life will end—
how many days I’ll see—
And cause me, LORD, to understand
how brief my life will be.

5 “O LORD, how short you make my days
before I sink in death.
My years are nothing in your sight;
man’s life is but a breath.

6 “Like shadows people go about;
they bustle to and fro.
They heap up wealth, but do not know
to whom their wealth will go.

7 “But now, what do I look for, LORD?
My hope is set on you.
8 From my transgressions rescue me
lest fools in scorn pursue.

9 “I held my peace and would not speak,
for you did this, I know.
10 Remove your scourge from me; your hand
has struck and laid me low.

11 “For you rebuke and punish men
for their iniquity.
You, like a moth, consume their wealth;
each man is vanity.

12 “O LORD, please listen to my prayer
and hear my cry for aid;
Do not be deaf to the appeal
which I with tears have made.

“For as your guest I stay a while.
I’m like my fathers all—
A stranger and a pilgrim here.
Have mercy when I call.

13 “O turn away your eyes from me.
Let me rejoice again
Before I finally depart
and here no more remain.”