| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David. I decided, "I will watch what I say and make sure I do not sin with my tongue. I will put a muzzle over my mouth while in the presence of an evil man." | 1I told myself, "I will keep watch over my tongue to keep from sinning. I will muzzle my mouth when the wicked are around." |
| 2I was stone silent; I held back the urge to speak. My frustration grew; | 2I was as silent as a mute person; I said nothing, not even something good, and my distress deepened. |
| 3my anxiety intensified. As I thought about it, I became impatient. Finally I spoke these words: | 3My heart within me became incensed; as I thought about it, the fire burned. Then I spoke out: |
| 4"O LORD, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life! Let me realize how quickly my life will pass! | 4"LORD, let me know how my life ends, and the standard by which you will measure my days, whatever it is! Then I will know how transient my life is. |
| 5Look, you make my days short-lived, and my life span is nothing from your perspective. Surely all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor. | 5Look, you have made my life span fit in your hand; It is nothing compared to yours. Surely every person at their best is a puff of wind. Interlude |
| 6Surely people go through life as mere ghosts. Surely they accumulate worthless wealth without knowing who will eventually haul it away." | 6In fact, people walk around as shadows. Surely, they busy themselves for nothing, heaping up possessions but not knowing who will get them. |
| 7But now, O Lord, upon what am I relying? You are my only hope! | 7How long, LORD, will I wait expectantly? I have placed my hope in you. |
| 8Deliver me from all my sins of rebellion! Do not make me the object of fools' insults! | 8Deliver me from all my transgressions, and do not let fools scorn me." |
| 9I am silent and cannot open my mouth because of what you have done. | 9I remain silent; I do not open my mouth, for you are the one who acted. |
| 10Please stop wounding me! You have almost beaten me to death! | 10Stop scourging me, since I have been crushed by your heavy hand. |
| 11You severely discipline people for their sins; like a moth you slowly devour their strength. Surely all people are a mere vapor. (Selah) | 11You rebuke by chastening a man with the consequence of iniquities; you destroy what is attractive to him, as one would treat a moth. Indeed, every person is a puff of wind. Interlude |
| 12Hear my prayer, O LORD! Listen to my cry for help! Do not ignore my sobbing! For I am dependent on you, like one residing outside his native land; I am at your mercy, just as all my ancestors were. | 12Hear my prayer, LORD, pay attention to my cry, and do not ignore my tears. I am an alien in your presence, a stranger just like my ancestors were. |
| 13Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy before I pass away. | 13Stop looking at me with chastisement, so I can smile again, before I depart and am no more. |
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