1 To the chief musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, I will keep my ways from sinning with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a muzzle while the wicked are before me.
2 I became dumb, keeping still; from good I was silent, and my pain was stirred.
3 My heart was hot within me; while the fire burned I was meditating; I spoke with my tongue:
4 O Jehovah, make me to know my end and the limit of my days, what it is . Let me know how lacking I am .
5 Behold, like a handbreadth You gave my days, even my life was non-existence before You ;
6 surely every man walks about in shadow; surely they are in an uproar in vain; he heaps up and does not know who is gathering them.
7 And now what do I await, Lord? My hope is in You.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not set me forth as the reproach of the fool.
9 I was dumb; I did not open my mouth, because You had done it .
10 Remove Your stroke from me; I am consumed by the blow of Your hand.
11 You correct a man with rebukes over perversity; and as a moth You consume what he desires. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.
12 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear to my cry. Do not be silent at my tears, for I am an alien with You, a pilgrim, as were all my fathers.
13 Look away from me and I will be cheerful before I go away and be no more.