The Futility of Life.

For the music director, for [a]Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1I said, “I will keep watch over my ways

So that I do not sin with my tongue;

I will keep watch over my mouth as with a muzzle

While the wicked are in my presence.”

2I was mute [b]and silent,

I [c]refused to say even something good,

And my pain was stirred up.

3My heart was hot within me,

While I was musing the fire burned;

Then I spoke with my tongue:

4“LORD, let me 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 like [d]hand widths,

And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight;

Certainly all mankind standing is [e]a mere breath. Selah

6“Certainly every person walks around as [f]a fleeting shadow;

They certainly 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“Save me from all my wrongdoings;

Do not make me an object of reproach for 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 [g]perishing.

11“With rebukes You punish a person for wrongdoing;

You consume like a moth what is precious to him;

Certainly all mankind is mere breath! Selah

12“Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help;

Do not be silent to my tears;

For I am a stranger with You,

One who lives abroad, like all my fathers.

13“Turn Your eyes away from me, that I may become cheerful again

Before I depart and am no more.”