To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

1I 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.

2I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good;

And my sorrow was stirred.

3My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned:

Then spake I with my tongue.

4LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is;

That I may know how frail I am.

5Behold, 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.

6Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: Surely they are disquieted in vain:

He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

7And now, Lord, what wait I for?

My hope is in thee.

8Deliver me from all my transgressions:

Make me not the reproach of the foolish.

9I was dumb, I opened not my mouth;

Because thou didst it. 10Remove thy stroke away from me:

I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.

11When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity,

Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth:

Surely every man is vanity. Selah.

12Hear 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.

13O spare me, that I may recover strength,

Before I go hence, and be no more.