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 , 4LORD , make me to know mine end , and the measure of my days , what it is; that I may know how frail I am . 5Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth ; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity . Selah . 6Surely every man walketh in a vain shew : 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 thine 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 LORD , and give ear unto my cry ; hold not thy peace at my tears : for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner , as all my fathers were . 13O spare me, that I may recover strength , before I go hence , and be no more.