Psalm 38 – Dixi custodiam

A just man’s peace and patience in his sufferings; considering the vanity of the world, and the providence of God.

[1] Unto the end, for Idithun himself, a canticle of David. [2] I said: I will take heed to my ways: that I sin not with my tongue. I have set guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me. [3] I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things: and my sorrow was renewed. [4] My heart grew hot within me: and in my meditation a fire shall flame out. [5] I spoke with my tongue: O Lord, make me know my end. And what is the number of my days: that I may know what is wanting to me.

[6] Behold thou hast made my days measurable: and my substance is as nothing before thee. And indeed all things are vanity: every man living. [7] Surely man passeth as an image: yea, and he is disquieted in vain. He storeth up: and he knoweth not for whom he shall gather these things. [8] And now what is my hope? is it not the Lord? and my substance is with thee. [9] Deliver thou me from all my iniquities: thou hast made me a reproach to the fool. [10] I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because thou hast done it.

[11] Remove thy scourges from me. The strength of thy hand hath made me faint in rebukes: [12] Thou hast corrected man for iniquity. And thou hast made his soul to waste away like a spider: surely in vain is any man disquieted. [13] Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication: give ear to my tears. Be not silent: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were. [14] O forgive me, that I may be refreshed, before I go hence, and be no more.