1 {To the Chanter, for praising, a Psalm of David} I said, "I will take heed to my ways, that I offend not in my tongue. I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle, while the ungodly is in my sight."
2 I held my tongue; I was dumb. I kept silence, yea even from good words, but it was pain and grief to me.
3 My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing, the fire kindled, and at the last I spoke with my tongue,
4 "LORD, let me know mine end, and the number of my days: that I may be certified how long I have to live.
5 Behold, thou hast made my days a span long, and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; and verily every man living is altogether vanity. Selah
6 Yea every man walketh as it were a shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain: he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
7 "And now, LORD, what is my hope? Truly my hope is even in thee.
8 Deliver me from all mine offenses; and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
9 I became dumb, and opened not my mouth; for it was thy doing.
10 Turn thy plagues away from me, for I am consumed through the fear of thy hand.
11 When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment; every man therefore is but vanity. Selah.
12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and with thine ears consider my calling; hold not thy peace at my tears. For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 O spare me a little that I may recover my strength, before I go hence, and be no more seen."