1  I SAID, I will take heed {and} guard my ways, that I may sin not with my tongue; I will muzzle my mouth as with a bridle while the wicked are before me.

 

2  I was dumb with silence, I held my peace without profit and had no comfort away from good, while my distress was renewed.

 

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 [to appreciate] the measure of my days--what it is; let me know {and} realize how frail I am [how transient is my stay here].

 

5  Behold, You have made my days as [short as] handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight. Truly every man at his best is merely a breath! Selah [pause, and think calmly of that]!

 

6  Surely every man walks to and fro--like a shadow in a pantomime; surely for futility {and} emptiness he is in turmoil; each one heaps up riches, not knowing who will gather them.

 

7  And now, Lord, what do I wait for {and} expect? My hope {and} expectation are in You.

 

8  Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the scorn {and} reproach of the [self-confident] fool!

 

9  I am dumb, I open not my mouth, for it is You Who has done it.

 

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

 

11  When with rebukes You correct {and} chasten man for sin, You waste his beauty like a moth {and} what is dear to him consumes away; surely every man is a mere breath. Selah [pause, and think calmly of that]!

 

12  Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not Your peace at my tears! For I am Your passing guest, a temporary resident, as all my fathers were.

 

13  O look away from me {and} spare me, that I may recover cheerfulness {and} encouraging strength {and} know gladness before I go and am no more!