To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.
1 I said, I will look to my ways,
lest I sin with my tongue:
I’ll keep my mouth with bit, while I
the wicked am among.
2 With silence tied was my tongue,
my mouth I did refrain,
from speaking that thing which is good;
and stirred was my pain.
3 Mine heart within me waxed hot,
while I was musing long
enkindled in me was the fire:
then spake I with my tongue,
4 Mine end, O Lord, and my days,
let me the measure learn;
that what a momentary thing
I am I may discern.
5 Behold, thou mad’st my days a span;
mine age as nought to thee:
surely each man at’s best estate
is wholly vanity. Selah.
6 Sure in a vain show walketh man:
sure stir’d in vain they are:
he heaps up riches and knows not
who shall the same gather.
(2)
7 And now, O Lord, what wait I for?
my hope is upon thee.
8 Free me from all my trespasses:
the fools scorn make not me.
9 I was dumb nor op’ned my mouth;
this done because thou hast.
10 Remove thy stroke away from me:
by thy hands blow I waste.
11 When with rebukes thou dost correct
man for iniquity,
thou blasts his beauty like a moth:
sure each man ’s vanity. Selah.
12 Hear my pray’r, Lord, hark to my cry;
be not still at my tears:
for stranger, and pilgrim with thee,
I’ me, as all my fathers.
13 O turn aside a while from me,
that I may strength recall,
before I do depart from hence,
and be no more at all.