Dual Panel1For the music director <05329>, Jeduthun <03038>; a psalm <04210> of David <01732>. I decided <0559>, “I will watch <08104> what I say and make sure I do not sin <02398> with my tongue <03956>. I will put <08104> a muzzle <04269> over my mouth <06310> while <05704> in the presence <05048> of an evil <07563> man.”
2I was stone <0481> silent <01747>; I held back <02814> the urge to speak. My frustration grew <05916>;
3my anxiety <03820> intensified <07130> <02552>. As I thought about <01901> it, I became impatient <0784> <01197>. Finally I spoke <01696> these words <03956>:
4“O Lord <03068>, help me understand <03045> my mortality <07093> and the brevity <04060> of life <03117>! Let me <01931> realize <03045> how <04100> quickly <02310> my life <0589> will pass <02310>!
5Look <02009>, you make <05414> my days <03117> short-lived <02947>, and my life span <02465> is nothing <0369> from your perspective <05048>. Surely <0389> all <03605> people <0120>, even those who seem secure <05324>, are nothing <03605> but vapor <01892>.
6Surely <0389> people <0376> go <01980> through life as mere ghosts <06754>. Surely they accumulate <06651> worthless <01892> wealth without <03808> knowing <03045> who <04310> will eventually haul <0622> it away.”
7But now <06258>, O Lord <0136>, upon what <04100> am I relying <06960>? You <01931> are my only hope <08431>!
8Deliver <05337> me from all <03605> my sins of rebellion <06588>! Do not <0408> make <07760> me the object of <02781> fools <05036>’ insults <02781>!
9I am silent <0481> and cannot <03808> open <06605> my mouth <06310> because <03588> of what you <0859> have done <06213>.
10Please stop <05493> wounding <05061> me! You have almost beaten <03027> <08409> me <0589> to death <03615>!
11You severely discipline <03256> people <0376> for their sins <05771> <08433>; like a moth <06211> you slowly devour <04529> their strength <02530>. Surely <0389> all <03605> people <0120> are a mere vapor <01892>. (Selah <05542>)
12Hear <08085> my prayer <08605>, O Lord <03068>! Listen <0238> to <0413> my cry for help <07775>! Do not <0408> ignore <02790> my sobbing <01832>! For <03588> I am <0595> dependent on you, like one residing outside his native land <01616>; I am at your mercy, just as all <03605> my ancestors <01> were.
13Turn <08159> your angry gaze away <08159> from <04480> me, so I can be happy <01082> before <02962> I pass <01980> away <0369>.