1 For the end, a Song of David, to Idithun.
2 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue : I set a guard on my mouth, while the sinner stood in my presence.
3 I was dumb, and humbled myself, and kept silence from good words ; and my grief was renewed.
4 My heart grew hot within me, and a fire would kindle in my meditation : I spoke with my tongue,
5 O Lord, make me to know mine end, and the number of my days, what it is ; that I may know what I lack.
6 Behold, thou hast made my days old ; and my existence is as nothing before thee : nay, every man living is altogether vanity. Pause. Notesn1 Alex. a span long.
7 Surely man walks in a shadow ; nay, he is disquieted in vain : he lays up treasures, and knows not for whom he shall gather them. Notesn1 Gr. image.
8 And now what is my expectation ? is it not the Lord ? and my ground of hope is with thee. Pause.
9 Deliver me from all my transgressions : thou hast made me a reproach to the foolish.
10 I was dumb, and opened not my mouth ; for thou art he that made me. Notesn1 Gr. made dumb.
11 Remove thy scourges from me : I have fainted by reason of the strength of thine hand.
12 Thou chastenest man with rebukes for iniquity, and thou makest his life to consume away like a spider's web : nay, every man is disquieted in vain. Pause.
13 O Lord, hearken to my prayer and my supplication : attend to my tears : be not silent, for I am a sojourner in the land, and a stranger, as all my fathers were.
14 Spare me, that I may be refreshed, before I depart, and be no more.