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