1To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me."
2I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up.
3My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:
4"Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.
5Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah
6Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.
7"And 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 it was You who did it.
10Remove Your plague from me; I am consumed by the blow of Your hand.
11When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity, You make his beauty melt away like a moth; Surely every man is vapor. Selah
12"Hear my prayer, O Lord, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, Before I go away and am no more."