1I 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. 2I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred. 3My heart was hot within me; While I was musing the fire burned; Then spake I with my tongue: 4Jehovah , make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is ; Let me know how frail I am. 5Behold, 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 6Surely every man walketh in a vain show ; Surely they are disquieted in vain : He heapeth up riches , and knoweth not who shall gather them .
The Silence Before God
7And now , Lord, what wait I for ? My hope is in thee. 8Deliver me from all my transgressions: Make me not the reproach of the foolish. 9I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; Because thou didst it . 10Remove thy stroke away from me : I am consumed by the blow of thy hand. 11When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: Surely every man is vanity. [Selah
A Plea for Deliverance
12Hear 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 . 13Oh spare me , that I may recover strength, Before I go hence, and be no more .