38
(39) For the end, a Song of David, to Idithun.
1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I set a guard on my mouth, while the sinner stood in my presence.
2 I was dumb, and humbled myself, and kept silence from good words; and my grief was renewed.
3 My heart grew hot within me, and a fire would kindle in my meditation: I spoke with my tongue,
4 O Lord, make me to know my end, and the number of my days, what it is; that I may know what I lack.
5 Behold, you have made my days * old; and my existence is as nothing before you: nay, every man living is altogether vanity. Pause.
6 Surely man walks in a † shadow; nay, he is disquieted in vain: he lays up treasures, and knows not for whom he shall gather them.
7 And now what is my expectation? is it not the Lord? and my ground of hope is with you. Pause.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: you have made me a reproach to the foolish.
9 I was ‡ dumb, and opened not my mouth; for you are he that made me.
10 Remove your scourges from me: I have fainted by reason of the strength of your hand.
11 You chasten man with rebukes for iniquity, and you make his life to consume away like a spider's web; nay, every man is disquieted in vain. Pause.
12 O Lord, listen to my prayer and my supplication: attend to my tears: be not silent, for I am a sojourner in the land, and a stranger, as all my fathers were.
13 Spare me, that I may be refreshed, before I depart, and be no more.
* 38:5 Alex. a span long. † 38:6 Gr. image. ‡ 38:9 Gr. made dumb.