1 For the Chief Musician, for 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.
2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good ; And my sorrow was stirred.
3 My heart was hot within me ; While I was musing the fire burned ; Then spake I with my tongue :
4 Jehovah, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is ; Let me know how frail I am.
5 Behold, thou hast made my days as handbreadths ; And my life-time is as nothing before thee : Surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. [Selah
6 Surely every man walketh in a vain show ; Surely they are disquieted in vain : He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7 And now, Lord, what wait I for ? My hope is in thee.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions : Make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth ; Because thou didst it.
10 Remove thy stroke away from me : I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.
11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth : Surely every man is vanity. [Selah
12 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear unto my cry ; Hold not thy peace at my tears : For I am a stranger with thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go hence, and be no more.