Psalm 39 Prayer

All-Wise God,

Thank you for watching over your people, your Church, and this nation.  Thank you for protecting the remnant of people who are following hard after you.  Thank you for calling us to a deeper prayer and understanding of you and challenging us to grow in our faith.  Thank you for the renewal and revival you are causing in our hearts and churches.  Pour out your Spirit, Lord, so your Word, your Truth, and your Power goes forth to make a difference in this world.  Help us to watch our ways and keep our tongues from sin.  Sometimes it seems the whole world is against us; help us to hope in you and to trust you for our deliverance.  Help us to number our days so that we use them wisely to further your Kingdom.  Hear our prayers, Lord, and help us to enjoy this Abundant Life you have placed before us.  For your glory and honor we pray, Amen. 

 Psalm 39

1 

I said, “I will watch my ways

    and keep my tongue from sin;

I will put a muzzle on my mouth

    while in the presence of the wicked.”

2 

So I remained utterly silent,

    not even saying anything good.

But my anguish increased;

3 

    my heart grew hot within me.

While I meditated, the fire burned;

    then I spoke with my tongue:

4 

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end

    and the number of my days;

    let me know how fleeting my life is.

5 

You have made my days a mere handbreadth;

    the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Everyone is but a breath,

    even those who seem secure.

6 

“Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;

    in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth

    without knowing whose it will finally be.

7 

“But now, Lord, what do I look for?

    My hope is in you.

8 

Save me from all my transgressions;

    do not make me the scorn of fools.

9 

I was silent; I would not open my mouth,

    for you are the one who has done this.

10 

Remove your scourge from me;

    I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 

When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,

    you consume their wealth like a moth—

    surely everyone is but a breath.

12 

“Hear my prayer, Lord,

    listen to my cry for help;

    do not be deaf to my weeping.

I dwell with you as a foreigner,

    a stranger, as all my ancestors were.

13 

Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again

    before I depart and am no more.”