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.