1 Unto the end. For Jeduthun himself. A Canticle of David.
2 I said, “I will keep to my ways, so that I will not offend with my tongue.” I posted a guard at my mouth, when a sinner took up a position against me.
3 I was silenced and humbled, and I was quiet before good things, and my sorrow was renewed.
4 My heart grew hot within me, and, during my meditation, a fire would flare up.
5 I spoke with my tongue, “O Lord, make me know my end, and what the number of my days will be, so that I may know what is lacking to me.”
6 Behold, you have made my days measurable, and, before you, my substance is as nothing. Yet truly, all things are vanity: every living man.
7 So then, truly man passes by like an image; even so, he is disquieted in vain. He stores up, and he knows not for whom he will gather these things.
8 And now, what is it that awaits me? Is it not the Lord? And my substance is with you.
9 Rescue me from all my iniquities. You have handed me over as reproach to the foolish.
10 I was silenced, and I did not open my mouth, because it was you who acted.
11 Remove your scourges from me.
12 I fall short at corrections from the strength of your hand. For you have chastised man for iniquity. And you have made his soul shrink away like a spider. Nevertheless, it is in vain that any man be disquieted.
13 O Lord, heed my prayer and my supplication. Pay attention to my tears. Do not be silent. For I am a newcomer with you, and a sojourner, just as all my fathers were.
14 Forgive me, so that I may be refreshed, before I will go forth and be no more.