1For the Chief Musician, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I may not sin with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.
2I was mute 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 I spoke with my tongue:
4Yehovah, make me know my end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me know how frail I am.
5Behold, you have made my days as handbreadths; And my lifetime is as nothing before you: Surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. [Selah
6Surely every man walks in a vain show; Surely they are disquieted in vain: He heaps up riches, and does not know who shall gather them.
7And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
8Deliver me from all my transgressions: Do not make me the reproach of the foolish.
9I was mute, I did not open my mouth; Because you did it.
10Remove your stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of your hand.
11When you with rebukes correct man for iniquity, You make his beauty consume away like a moth: Surely every man is vanity. [Selah
12Hear my prayer, O Yehovah, and give ear to my cry; Do not hold your peace at my tears: For I am a stranger with you, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go from here, and am no more.