Psalm 39: Difference between revisions
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Lord, number out my life and days, | Lord, number out my life and days, | ||
Which yet I have not | Which yet I have not passed, | ||
So that I may be certified | So that I may be certified | ||
How long my life shall last. | How long my life shall last. | ||
Revision as of 21:52, 3 June 2010
| Table of Psalms << Psalm 39 >> | ||||||||||||||
General Information
Settings by composers
- Orlando Gibbons (vv.6-15, English BCP)
- Maurice Greene (vv.5-8, 13, 15 , English BCP)
- Joseph Key (starting at v. 5, English metrical Old Version)
Texts & translations
Latin text (or link to a text page) needs to be added. 
Church of England 1662 Book of Common Prayer
English text
1 I said, I will take heed to my ways : that I offend not in my tongue.
2 I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle : while the ungodly is in my sight.
3 I held my tongue, and spake nothing : I kept silence, yea, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.
4 My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled : and at the last I spake with my tongue;
5 Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days : that I may be certified how long I have to live.
6 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.
7 For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain : he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
8 And now, Lord, what is my hope : truly my hope is even in thee.
9 Deliver me from all mine offences : and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
10 I became dumb, and opened not my mouth : for it was thy doing.
11 Take thy plague away from me : I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.
12 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.
13 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling : hold not thy peace at my tears.
14 For I am a stranger with thee : and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
15 O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength : before I go hence, and be no more seen.
Metrical 'Old Version' (John Hopkins)
English text
I said, I will look to my ways,
For fear I should go wrong;
I will take heed all times that I
Offend not with my tongue
As with a bit I will keep fast
My mouth with force and might,
Not once to whisper all the while
The wicked are in sight.
I held my tongue and spake no word,
But kept me close and still;
Yea, from good talk I did refrain,
But sore against my will.
My heart grew hot within my breast:
With musing, though, and doubt,
Which did increase and stir the fire,
At last these words burst out;
Lord, number out my life and days,
Which yet I have not passed,
So that I may be certified
How long my life shall last.
For thou hast pointed out my life,
In length much like a span;
My age is nothing unto thee,
So vain is every man!
Man walketh like a shade, and doth
In vain himself annoy,
In getting goods, and cannot tell
Who shall the same enjoy.
Therefore, O Lord, what wait I for?
What help do I desire?
Truly my hope is ev'n in thee,
I nothing else require.
From all the sins that I have done,
Lord, quit me out of hand,
And make me not a scorn to fools,
That nothing understand.
I was so dumb that to complain
No trouble could me move,
Because I knew it was thy work
My patience for to prove.
Lord, take from me thy scourge and plague,
I cannot them withstand;
I faint and pine away for fear
Of thy most heavy hand.
When thou for sin dost man rebuke,
He waxeth pale and wan,
As doth a cloth that moths have fret;
So vain a thing is man.
Lord, hear my suit and give good heed,
Regard my tears that fall;
I sojourn like a stranger here,
As did my fathers all.
O spare a little, give me space
My strength for to restore
Before I go away from hence,
And shall be seen no more.