Psalms 39 Comparison: Douay-Rheims vs King James Version
Psalms 39
1Unto the end, a psalm for David himself.
2With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me.
3And he heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps.
4And he put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord.
5Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord; and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.
6Thou hast multiplied thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: and in thy thoughts there is no one like to thee. I have declared and I have spoken they are multiplied above number.
7Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:
8Then said I, Behold I come. In the head of the book it is written of me
9That I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart.
10I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.
11I have not hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council.
12Withhold not thou, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me.
13For evils without number have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not able to see. They are multiplied above the hairs of my head: and my heart hath forsaken me.
14Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me. Look down, O Lord, to help me.
15Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that desire evils to me.
16Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me: 'Tis well, 'tis well.
17Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.
18But I am a beggar and poor: the Lord is careful for me. Thou art my helper and my protector: O my God, be not slack.
Psalms 39
1I 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.
2I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
3My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
4Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
5Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
8Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
10Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
11When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
12Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Understanding Douay-Rheims vs King James Version in Psalms 39
Douay-Rheims (DRC)
Traditional Catholic English translation from the Latin Vulgate. Includes deuterocanonical books used in Catholic tradition. Best for readers who want a classic, historically influential Catholic Bible.
King James Version (KJV)
The classic 1611 English translation known for its majestic prose and literary influence. Ideal for traditional study and memorization thanks to its formal style. A foundational English Bible used for centuries.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Psalms 39 in the Douay-Rheims and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Psalms 39:16
"Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me: 'Tis well, 'tis well."
"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."





