1 I decided, “I will watch what I sayand make sure I do not sin with my tongue.I will put a muzzle over my mouthwhile in the presence of an evil man.”
2 I was stone silent;I held back the urge to speak.My frustration grew;
3 my anxiety intensified.As I thought about it, I became impatient.Finally I spoke these words:
4 “O Lord, help me understand my mortalityand the brevity of life!Let me realize how quickly my life will pass!
5 Look, 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.
6 Surely people go through life as mere ghosts.Surely they accumulate worthless wealthwithout knowing who will eventually haul it away.”
7 But now, O Lord, upon what am I relying?You are my only hope!
8 Deliver me from all my sins of rebellion!Do not make me the object of fools’ insults!
9 I am silent and cannot open my mouthbecause of what you have done.
10 Please stop wounding me!You have almost beaten me to death!
11 You severely discipline people for their sins;like a moth you slowly devour their strength.Surely all people are a mere vapor. (Selah)
12 Hear 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.
13 Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happybefore I pass away.