1I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin ·err (the standard goal)· with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”

2I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good.
My sorrow was stirred.

3My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned:
I spoke with my tongue:

4“Adonai, show me my end, what is the measure of my days.
Let me know how frail I am.

5Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely every man stands as a breath.” Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.

6“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain.
He heaps up, and does not know who shall gather.

7Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

8Deliver me from all my rebellious breaches of relationships. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.

9I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth,
because you did it.

10Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11When you rebuke and correct man for depravity (moral evil), You consume his wealth like a moth.
Surely every man is but a breath.” Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.

12“Sh'ma ·Hear obey· my prayer, Adonai, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears.
For I am a stranger with you,
a foreigner, ⁹⁶as all my fathers were.

13Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more.”