To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

¹ I said, “I will guard my ways,
   that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
   so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
² I was mute and silent;
   I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
   ³ My heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
   then I spoke with my tongue:

⁴ “O LORD, make me know my end
   and what is the measure of my days;
   let me know how fleeting I am!
⁵ Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
   and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
   ⁶ Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
   man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

⁷ “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
   My hope is in you.
⁸ Deliver me from all my transgressions.
   Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
⁹ I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
   for it is you who have done it.
¹⁰ Remove your stroke from me;
   I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
¹¹ When you discipline a man
   with rebukes for sin,
you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
   surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

¹² “Hear my prayer, O LORD,
   and give ear to my cry;
   hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am a sojourner with you,
   a guest, like all my fathers.
¹³ Look away from me, that I may smile again,
   before I depart and am no more!”