Psalm 39
(from Day 8 Morning Prayer)
Dixi, Custodiam
- I SAID, I will take heed to my ways: that I offend not in my tongue.
- I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle: while the ungodly is in my sight.
- I held my tongue, and spake nothing: I kept silence, yea, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.
- My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled: and at the last I spake with my tongue;
- Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days: that I may be certified how long I have to live.
- Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long: and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
- For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain: he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
- And now, Lord, what is my hope: truly my hope is even in thee.
- Deliver me from all mine offences: and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
- I became dumb, and opened not my mouth: for it was thy doing.
- Take thy plague away from me: I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.
- When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment: every man therefore is but vanity.
- Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling: hold not thy peace at my tears.
- For I am a stranger with thee: and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
- O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength: before I go hence, and be no more seen.