| NET Bible | New International 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." | 1For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David. I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked." |
| 2I was stone silent; I held back the urge to speak. My frustration grew; | 2So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; |
| 3my anxiety intensified. As I thought about it, I became impatient. Finally I spoke these words: | 3my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: |
| 4"O LORD, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life! Let me realize how quickly my life will pass! | 4"Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting 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. | 5You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. |
| 6Surely people go through life as mere ghosts. Surely they accumulate worthless wealth without knowing who will eventually haul it away." | 6"Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. |
| 7But now, O Lord, upon what am I relying? You are my only hope! | 7"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. |
| 8Deliver me from all my sins of rebellion! Do not make me the object of fools' insults! | 8Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. |
| 9I am silent and cannot open my mouth because of what you have done. | 9I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. |
| 10Please stop wounding me! You have almost beaten me to death! | 10Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. |
| 11You severely discipline people for their sins; like a moth you slowly devour their strength. Surely all people are a mere vapor. (Selah) | 11When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth-- surely everyone is but a breath. |
| 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. | 12"Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were. |
| 13Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy before I pass away. | 13Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more." |
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