[1] I said, "I will take heed of my ways so that I do not sin with my tongue; I will keep my mouth muzzled while the wicked are before me." [2] I was speechless in silence; I was silent to no avail, but my anguish was stirred up. [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 what is the measure of my days, that I may know how transient I am. [5] Indeed, You have made my days as a handbreadth, and my age is as nothing before You; indeed every man at his best is as a breath." Selah [6] Surely every man walks in a mere shadow; surely he goes as a breath; he heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them. [7] Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. [8] Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of the foolish. [9] I was speechless, I did not open my mouth, because You did it. [10] Remove Your blow from me; I am consumed by the hostility of Your hand. [11] When with rebukes You correct a man for iniquity, You consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely every man is vapor. Selah [12] 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, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. [13] Turn Your gaze of displeasure from me, that I may smile, before I go away and am no more.
