For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David.
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1I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue.
- I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”
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2I was mute with silence.
- I held my peace, even from good.
- My sorrow was stirred.
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3My heart was hot within me.
- While I meditated, the fire burned:
- I spoke with my tongue:
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4“Yahweh, show me my end,
- what is the measure of my days.
- Let me know how frail I am.
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5Behold, you have made my days handbreadths.
- My lifetime is as nothing before you.
- Surely every man stands as a breath.”
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6“Surely every man walks like a shadow.
- Surely they busy themselves in vain.
- He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.
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7Now, Lord, what do I wait for?
- My hope is in you.
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8Deliver me from all my transgressions.
- Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.
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9I was mute.
- I didn’t open my mouth,
- because you did it.
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10Remove your scourge away from me.
- I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
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11When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity,
- You consume his wealth like a moth.
- Surely every man is but a breath.”
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12“Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry.
- Don’t be silent at my tears.
- For I am a stranger with you,
- a foreigner, as all my fathers were.
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13Oh spare me, that I may recover strength,
- before I go away, and exist no more.”