To the Chief Musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1I said, "I will take heed to my ways so that I do not sin with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked are before me."

2I became dumb, keeping silent; I said nothing good, and yet my sorrow grew worse.

3My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

4"O LORD, make me to know my end and the measure of my days, what it is, that I may know how short lived I am.

5Behold, You have made my days as a handbreadth, and the span of my days is as nothing before You. Surely every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

6Surely every man walks about in a vain show! Surely they are in an uproar in vain. He heaps up riches and does not know who shall gather them.

7And now, LORD, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.

8Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the fool.

9I was dumb; I did not open my mouth because You have done it.

10Remove Your stroke away from me; I am consumed by the blow of Your hand.

11You correct a man for iniquity with rebukes, and You make his beauty to vanish away like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.

12Hear 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, as all my fathers were.

13Look away from me, that I may recover strength before I depart and am no more."