1 For the Chief Musician, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I don't sin with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.
2 I was mute with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred.
3 My heart was hot inside me; While I was musing the fire burned: [Then] I spoke with my tongue:
4 Yahweh, make me to know my end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me know how frail I am.
5 Look, 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.
6 Surely everyone among man walks in a vain show; Surely they are disquieted 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.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: Don't make me the reproach of the foolish.
9 I was mute, I did not open my mouth; Because you did it.
10 Remove your stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of your hand.
11 When you with rebukes correct man for iniquity, You make his beauty to consume away like a moth: Surely everyone among man is vanity. Selah.
12 Hear my prayer, O Yahweh, and give ear to my cry; Don't hold your peace at my tears: For I am a stranger with you, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go from here, and be no more.