A Psalm of David.
I said, I will look to my ways,
lest with my tongue I sin:
In sight of wicked men my mouth

with bridle I'll keep in.
With silence I as dumb became,
I did myself restrain
From speaking good; but then the more

increased was my pain.
My heart within me waxed hot;
and, while I musing was,
The fire did burn; and from my tongue

these words I did let pass:
Mine end, and measure of my days,
O Lord, unto me show
What is the same; that I thereby

my frailty well may know.
Lo, thou my days an handbreadth mad'st;
mine age is in thine eye
As nothing: sure each man at best

is wholly vanity.
Sure each man walks in a vain show;
they vex themselves in vain:
He heaps up wealth, and doth not know

to whom it shall pertain.
And now, O Lord, what wait I for?
my hope is fix'd on thee.
Free me from all my trespasses,

the fool's scorn make not me.
Dumb was I, op'ning not my mouth,
because this work was thine.
Thy stroke take from me; by the blow

of thine hand I do pine.
When with rebukes thou dost correct
man for iniquity,
Thou wastes his beauty like a moth:

sure each man's vanity.
Attend my cry, Lord, at my tears
and pray'rs not silent be:
I sojourn as my fathers all,

and stranger am with thee.
O spare thou me, that I my strength
recover may again,
Before from hence I do depart,

and here no more remain.