Parallel Verses
Bible in Basic English
I said, I will give attention to my ways, so that my tongue may do no wrong; I will keep my mouth under control, while the sinner is before me.
New American Standard Bible
For the choir director, for
I said, “I will
That I
I will guard
While the wicked are in my presence.”
King James Version
{To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.} I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
Holman Bible
For the choir director, for Jeduthun. A Davidic psalm.
so that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle
as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
International Standard Version
I told myself, "I will keep watch over my tongue to keep from sinning. I will muzzle my mouth when the wicked are around."
A Conservative Version
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked man is before me.
American Standard Version
I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.
Amplified
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will muzzle my mouth
While the wicked are in my presence.”
Darby Translation
{To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.} I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked is before me.
Julia Smith Translation
To the overseer, to Jeduthun: chanting of David. I said, I will watch my way from sinning with my tongue: I will watch for my mouth with a muzzle while yet the unjust one is before me.
King James 2000
[To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.] I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked are before me.
Lexham Expanded Bible
I said, "I will guard my ways {that I may not sin} with my tongue. I will keep a muzzle over my mouth as long as [the] wicked [are] before me."
Modern King James verseion
To the Chief Musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways so that I do not sin with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked are before me.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
{To the Chanter, for praising, a Psalm of David} 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."
NET Bible
For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David. I decided, "I will watch what I say and make sure I do not sin with my tongue. I will put a muzzle over my mouth while in the presence of an evil man."
New Heart English Bible
I said, "I will watch my ways, so that I do not sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me."
The Emphasized Bible
I said, to myself, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue, - I will put on my mouth a muzzle, So long as the lawless is before me.
Webster
To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
World English Bible
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."
Youngs Literal Translation
To the Overseer, to Jeduthun. -- A Psalm of David. I have said, 'I observe my ways, Against sinning with my tongue, I keep for my mouth a curb, while the wicked is before me.'
Themes
Heedfulness » Necessary » In worldly company
Repression of evil » Seven evils to be repressed » Evil speech
Satan » Vanquished promises of ultimate triumph » Watchfulness against sin and temptation
Seven » Evils to be repressed » Evil speech
Sin » Should be » Guarded against
Speech/communication » Bridling your tongue
Watchfulness » For the coming of Christ, reasons for » Against sin and temptation
Topics
References
Easton
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Psalm 39:1
Verse Info
Context Readings
Prayer Of A Suffering Sinner
1 I said, I will give attention to my ways, so that my tongue may do no wrong; I will keep my mouth under control, while the sinner is before me. 2 I made no sound, I said no word, even of good; and I was moved with sorrow.
Cross References
1 Kings 2:4
So that the Lord may give effect to what he said of me, If your children give attention to their ways, living uprightly before me with all their heart and their soul, you will never be without a man to be king in Israel.
2 Kings 10:31
But Jehu did not take care to keep the law of the Lord with all his heart: he did not keep himself from the sin which Jeroboam did and made Israel do.
1 Chronicles 16:41
And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were marked out by name to give praise to the Lord, for his mercy is unchanging for ever;
Job 2:10
And he said to her, You are talking like one of the foolish women. If we take the good God sends us, are we not to take the evil when it comes? In all this Job kept his lips from sin.
Psalm 62:1
My soul, put all your faith in God; for from him comes my salvation.
Psalm 119:9
How may a young man make his way clean? by guiding it after your word.
1 Chronicles 25:1-6
Further, David and the chiefs of the servants of the holy place made selection of certain of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun for the work of prophets, to make melody with corded instruments and brass; and the number of the men for the work they had to do was:
Psalm 12:4
They have said, With our tongues will we overcome; our lips are ours: who is lord over us?
Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from words of deceit.
Psalm 73:8-9
Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.
Psalm 77:1
I was crying to God with my voice; even to God with my voice, and he gave ear to me.
Proverbs 4:26-27
Keep a watch on your behaviour; let all your ways be rightly ordered.
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
Proverbs 21:23
He who keeps watch over his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
Amos 5:13
So the wise will say nothing in that time; for it is an evil time.
Micah 7:5-6
Put no faith in a friend, do not let your hope be placed in a relation: keep watch on the doors of your mouth against her who is resting on your breast.
Colossians 4:5
Be wise in your behaviour to those who are outside, making good use of the time.
Hebrews 2:1
For this reason there is the more need for us to give attention to the things which have come to our ears, for fear that by chance we might be slipping away.
James 1:26
If a man seems to have religion and has no control over his tongue but lets himself be tricked by what is false, this man's religion is of no value.
James 3:2-8
For we all go wrong in a number of things. If a man never makes a slip in his talk, then he is a complete man and able to keep all his body in control.