39 - Dixi, Custodiam

1  I said, “I will take heed to my ways, *
that I may not offend with my tongue.
2  I will keep my mouth as with a bridle *
while the ungodly are in my sight.”
3  I held my tongue and spoke nothing; *
I kept silence, even from good words; but it was pain 
and grief to me.
4  My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus pondering
  the fire kindled, *
and at the last I spoke with my tongue:
5  “Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days, *
that I may learn how short my life is.

6  Behold, you have made my days as a span in length, *
and my age is even as nothing before you; and truly, 
everyone living is but a breath.
7  For everyone walks about as a shadow, and disquiets himself
  in vain; *
he heaps up riches and cannot tell who shall gather them.
8  And now, Lord, what is my hope? *
Truly, my hope is in you.
9  Deliver me from all my offenses, *
and make me not a taunt of the foolish.
10  I became mute and opened not my mouth, *
for it was you that brought it to pass.
11  Take your affliction from me; *
I am consumed by the blows of your heavy hand.
12  When you, with rebukes, chasten someone for sin,
  you consume what is dear to him, like a moth 
  eating a garment; *
everyone therefore is but vanity.
13  Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with your ears consider my cry; *
hold not your peace at my tears.
14  For I am a stranger with you, *
and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
15  O turn your gaze from me, that I may again be glad, *
before I go away to be seen no more.”