The Vanity of Life.

For the choir director, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1 I said, “I will guard my ways
          That I may not sin with my tongue;
          I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle
          While the wicked are in my presence.”

2 I was mute and silent,
          I refrained even from good,
          And my sorrow grew worse.

3 My heart was hot within me,
          While I was musing the fire burned;
          Then I spoke with my tongue:

4 “LORD, make me to know my end
          And what is the extent of my days;
          Let me know how transient I am.

5 “Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths,
          And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight;
          Surely every man at his best is a mere breath.


6 “Surely every man walks about as a phantom;
          Surely they make an uproar for nothing;
          He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.

7 “And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
          My hope is in You.

8 “Deliver me from all my transgressions;
          Make me not the reproach of the foolish.

9 “I have become mute, I do not open my mouth,
          Because it is You who have done it.

10 “Remove Your plague from me;
          Because of the opposition of Your hand I am perishing.

11 “With reproofs You chasten a man for iniquity;
          You consume as a moth what is precious to him;
          Surely every man is a mere breath.


12 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry;
          Do not be silent at my tears;
          For I am a stranger with You,
          A sojourner like all my fathers.

13 “Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again
          Before I depart and am no more.”