For the choir director, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1I said, “I will guard my ways
         That I may not sin with my tongue;
         I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle
         While the wicked are in my presence.”

2I was mute and silent,
         I refrained even from good,
         And my sorrow grew worse.

3My heart was hot within me,
         While I was musing the fire burned;
         Then I spoke with my tongue:

4“LORD, make me to know my end
         And what is the extent of my days;
         Let me know how transient I am.

5“Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths,
         And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight;
         Surely every man at his best is a mere breath.

6“Surely every man walks about as a phantom;
         Surely they make an uproar for nothing;
         He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.

7“And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
         My hope is in You.

8“Deliver me from all my transgressions;
         Make me not the reproach of the foolish.

9“I have become mute, I do not open my mouth,
         Because it is You who have done it.

10“Remove Your plague from me;
         Because of the opposition of Your hand I am perishing.

11“With reproofs You chasten a man for iniquity;
         You consume as a moth what is precious to him;
         Surely every man is a mere breath.

12“Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry;
         Do not be silent at my tears;
         For I am a stranger with You,
         A sojourner like all my fathers.

13“Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again
         Before I depart and am no more.”

NASB ©1995