1 I 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.” 2 I was mutea Lit with silenceand silent,
Ib Lit kept silencerefrained even from good,
And myc Lit painsorrow grew worse. 3 My 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 mand Lit standing firmat his best ise Or altogether vanitya mere breath.f Selah may mean: Pause, Crescendo or Musical interludeSelah. 6 “Surely every man walks about asg Lit an imagea 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 amh Or wasting awayperishing. 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. Selah. |
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 mayi Or become cheerfulsmile again
Before I depart and am no more.” |
