1 Unto the end. For Jeduthun himself. A Canticle of David.
2 I said, 'I will keep to my ways, so that I will not offend with my tongue.'I posted a guard at my mouth, when a sinner took up a position against me.
3 I was silenced and humbled, and I was quiet before good things, and my sorrow was renewed.
4 My heart grew hot within me, and, during my meditation, a fire would flare up.
5 I spoke with my tongue, 'O Lord, make me know my end,and what the number of my days will be,so that I may know what is lacking to me.'
6 Behold, you have made my days measurable, and,before you, my substance is as nothing.Yet truly, all things are vanity: every living man.
7 So then, truly man passes by like an image;even so, he is disquieted in vain.He stores up, and he knows not for whom he will gather these things.
8 And now, what is it that awaits me?Is it not the Lord? And my substance is with you.
9 Rescue me from all my iniquities. You have handed me over as a reproach to the foolish.
10 I was silenced, and I did not open my mouth, because it was you who acted.
11 Remove your scourges from me.
12 I fall short at corrections from the strength of your hand.For you have chastised man for iniquity.And you have made his soul shrink away like a spider.Nevertheless, it is in vain that any man be disquieted.
13 O Lord, heed my prayer and my supplication.Pay attention to my tears. Do not be silent.For I am a newcomer with you, and a sojourner, just as all my fathers were.
14 Forgive me, so that I may be refreshed,before I will go forth and be no more.
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