The Vanity of Life. For the choir director, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. 1 I said, “I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence.” 2 I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, And my sorrow grew worse. 3 My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue: 4 “LORD, make me to 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 as handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah.
6 “Surely every man walks about as a phantom; Surely they 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 “Deliver me from all my transgressions; Make me not the reproach of 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 perishing. 11 “With reproofs You chasten a man for iniquity; You consume as a moth what is precious to him; Surely every man is a mere breath. Selah.
12 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner like all my fathers. 13 “Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again Before I depart and am no more.” New American Standard Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972,
1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All
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