1 To the Chief Musician. To 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 are 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 meditating the fire burned: then spoke I with my tongue,

4 LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

5 Behold, you have made my days as a handbreadth; and my age is as nothing before you: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

6 Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are in turmoil in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows not who shall gather them.

7 And now, Lord, what do I wait for? my hope is in you.

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 you did it.

10 Remove your scourge away from me: I am consumed by the blow of your hand.

11 When you with rebukes do correct man for iniquity, you make his beauty melt away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not your peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and be no more.