1 For the director of music, for Jeduthun, a psalm of David.

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

2 I said, 'I will guard my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth while the wicked are in my presence.'

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

3 I was silent in stillness; I held my peace even from good, but my sorrow was stirred up.

My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

4 My heart grew hot within me; as I meditated, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

5 LORD, let me know my end and the number of my days, so I may understand how fleeting my life is.

Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

6 Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Surely, every man is but a breath. Selah.

Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

7 Surely, man goes about as a shadow; surely, they make an uproar over nothing; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will gather it.

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

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

Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

9 Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.

I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

10 I am mute; I will not open my mouth because You have done this.

Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.

11 Remove Your stroke from me; I am consumed by the blow of Your hand.

When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

12 With reproofs for iniquity, You discipline a man; like a moth, You consume his cherished things. Surely, every man is but a breath. Selah.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

13 Hear my prayer, LORD, and give ear to my cry; do not be silent to my tears, for I am a sojourner with You, a temporary resident like all my fathers.

O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

14 Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may have a moment of relief before I go and am no more.