1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked man is before me.
2 I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good, and my sorrow was stirred.
3 My heart was hot within me. While I was musing the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:
4 Jehovah, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is. Let me know how frail I am.
5 Behold, thou have made my days as handbreadths, and my life-time is as nothing before thee. Surely every man at his best condition is altogether vanity. Selah.
6 Surely every man walks in a shadow. Surely they are disquieted in vain. He heaps up, and knows not who shall gather them.
7 And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in thee.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9 I was mute. I opened not my mouth, because thou did it.
10 Remove thy stroke away from me. I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.
11 When thou have corrected man with rebukes for iniquity, thou make his beauty to disintegrate like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.
12 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear to my cry. Keep not silent at my tears, for I am a stranger with thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 O spare me, that I may recover strength before I go from here, and be no more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Today's Verse
In overflowing wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting lovingkindness will I have mercy on thee, saith Jehovah thy Redeemer.
Verse Of The DayDavid compares every man's days to a mere handbreadth and admits he is "a stranger with thee, and a sojourner," pleading for relief before he departs. His restraint of speech is echoed in Proverbs 21:23; continue from Psalms 38 to Psalms 40.
