David's care of his thoughts. (To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.)

¹⁾I 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.

²⁾I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

³⁾My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire burned; then spake I with my tongue,

⁴⁾Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

⁵⁾Behold, thou hast made my days as a handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee; verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

⁶⁾Surely every man walketh in a vain show; surely they are disquieted in vain; he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

⁷⁾And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

⁸⁾Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the foolish.

⁹⁾I was dumb, and opened not my mouth; because thou didst chasten me.

¹⁰⁾Remove thy stroke away from me, or I shall be consumed by the blow of thy hand.

¹¹⁾When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth; surely every man is vanity. Selah.

¹²⁾Hear 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.

¹³⁾Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.