1 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.

I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.”

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

I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up.

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

My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

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

“ Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.

5 B ehold, 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.

Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah

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

Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.

7 A nd now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

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

8 D eliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

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

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

I was mute, I did not open my mouth, Because it was You who did it.

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

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

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

When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity, You make his beauty melt away like a moth; Surely every man is vapor. Selah

12 H ear 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.

“Hear 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.

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

Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, Before I go away and am no more.”