1David's care not to offend with his tongue: 4his reflections upon the shortness and vanity of human life, which lead him to hope in God: 8he prayeth for pardon and comfort before his death.
To the chief Musician, even to 1Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.
1I SAID, 1I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep amy mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
2I 1was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was astirred.
3My 1heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
4Lord, 1make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know ahow frail I am.
5Behold, 1thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: 2verily every man at his abest state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6Surely every man walketh in aa vain shew: 1surely they are disquieted in vain: 2he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7And now, Lord, what wait I for? 1my hope is in thee.
81Deliver me from all my transgressions: 2make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9I 1was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
10Remove 1thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the ablow of thine hand.
11When 1thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest ahis beauty to 2consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
12Hear 1my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; 2hold not thy peace at my tears: for 3I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13O 1spare me, that I may 2recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.