David presses his mouth shut - but the fire burns. Psalm 39 is a King David lament directed to Jeduthun, the chief Levitical choir leader, opening with a vow of silence before the wicked, then erupting into prayer on mortality. Every man is breath. The psalm ends at the one stable point David can name: “My hope is in y

Full sung version coming soon.

Lyrics

I said, I will watch my ways So that I don’t sin with my tongue I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me

I was mute with silence I held my peace, even from good My sorrow was stirred My heart was hot within me While I meditated, the fire burnt I spoke with my tongue

LORD, show me my end What is the measure of my days Let me know how frail I am Behold, you have made my days hand widths My lifetime is as nothing before you Surely every man stands as a breath

Surely every man walks like a shadow Surely they busy themselves in vain He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather Now, Lord, what do I wait for My hope is in you

Deliver me from all my transgressions Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish I was mute, I didn’t open my mouth Because you did it

Remove your scourge away from me I am overcome by the blow of your hand When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity You consume his wealth like a moth Surely every man is but a breath

Hear my prayer, LORD And give ear to my cry Don’t be silent at my tears For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner

Oh spare me, that I may recover strength Before I go away and exist no more My hope is in you, LORD My hope is in you

Show me my end Let me know how frail I am But my hope is in you

Listen

Psalms 39 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press