1To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” (1Ki 2:4; 2Ki 10:31; 1Ch 16:41; 1Ch 25:1; Job 2:10; Ps 34:13; Ps 62:1; Ps 77:1)2I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. (Job 40:4; Ps 38:13; Ps 39:9)3My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: (Job 32:18; Jer 20:9; Lu 24:32)4“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! (Ps 90:12)5Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! (Job 14:2; Ps 39:11; Ps 89:47; Ps 90:4)6Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing[1] they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! (Job 27:16; Ps 49:10; Ec 2:18; Ec 2:21; Ec 2:26; Jer 17:11; Lu 12:20; 1Co 7:31; Jas 4:14)7“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. (Ps 38:15)8Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool! (Ps 44:13)9I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it. (2Sa 16:10; Job 2:10; Ps 39:2)10Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand. (Job 9:34; Job 13:21)11When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! (Job 13:28; Ps 39:5; Ps 49:14; Ps 80:16; Isa 50:9)12“Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. (Ge 47:9; Le 25:23; 1Ch 29:15; Ps 102:1; Ps 119:19; Heb 11:13; 1Pe 2:11)13Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!” (Job 7:8; Job 7:19; Job 10:21; Job 14:10; Job 20:9)