1 I said, “I will watch my ways so I may not sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth shut as if it were tied with ropes, while the sinful are near me.”

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.

2 I stayed quiet, not even saying anything good. And my sorrow grew worse.

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

3 M y heart was hot within me. As I thought about things, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue,

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

4 “ O Lord, let me know my end and how many days I have to live. Let me know that I do not have long to stay here.

Jehovah, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me know how frail I am.

5 Y ou have made each of my days as long as a hand is wide. My whole life is nothing in Your eyes. Every man at his best is only a breath.

Behold, thou hast made my days as handbreadths; And my life-time is as nothing before thee: Surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. Selah

6 E very man walks here and there like a shadow. He makes a noise about nothing. He stores up riches, not knowing who will gather them.

Surely every man walketh in a vain show; Surely they are disquieted in vain: He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

7 A nd now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.

And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.

8 S ave me from all my sins. Do not let me be put to shame by the foolish.

Deliver me from all my transgressions: Make me not the reproach of the foolish.

9 I cannot speak. I do not open my mouth because it is You Who has done it.

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

10 D o not punish me any more. I am growing weak by the beatings of Your hand.

Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.

11 W ith sharp words You punish a man for sin. You destroy like a moth what is of worth to him. For sure, every man is only a breath.

When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: Surely every man is vanity. Selah

12 O Lord, hear my prayer, and listen to my cry. Do not be quiet when You see my tears. For I am a stranger with You, a visitor like all my fathers.

Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear unto my cry; Hold not thy peace at my tears: For I am a stranger with thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.

13 L ook away from me, so I may have joy again before I go and am no more.”

Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go hence, and be no more.