1I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.
2I was dumb with silence; I spake not even what was good; But my pain was increased.
3My heart was hot within me; In my anguish the fire burst forth, And I spake with my tongue:
4LORD, make me to know mine end, And the number of my days, That I may know how frail I am!
5Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth, And my life is as nothing before thee; Yea, every man in his firmest state is altogether vanity. [Pause.]
6Surely every man walketh in a vain show; Surely he disquieteth himself in vain; He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7What, then, O Lord! is my hope? My hope is in thee!
8Deliver me from all my transgressions; Let me not be the reproach of scoffers!
9Yet I am dumb; I open not my mouth; For thou hast done it!
10But remove from me thine infliction; For I am perishing by the blow of thine hand.
11When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for iniquity, Thou causest his glory to waste away like a moth! Surely every man is vanity.
12Hear my prayer, O LORD! Give ear to my cry; Be not silent at my tears! For I am but a stranger with thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13O spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go away, and be no more!