For the music director, for Jeduthun, a Davidic psalm.

I said, “I will keep watch over my ways

so I may keep my tongue from sin.

I will close my mouth

while in the presence of the wicked.”

So I became utterly silent,

not even speaking good,

yet my anguish intensified.

My heart burned within me;

as I meditated, the flames rose.

Then I used my tongue to say

“Adonai, show me the end of my life

and how many days I have.

Reveal to me how fleeting my days are.

Truly, You made my days only as wide

as a handsbreath

and my lifespan is nothing before You.

Certainly all humanity is but mist.

Selah.

Everyone walks about like a ghost.

Certainly, they wail in vain,

hoarding possessions,

not knowing who will inherit.

But now, my Lord, what do I wait for?

I hope in You.

Save me from all my mistakes,

don’t make me what fools scorn.

I am mute, my mouth is shut,

because You are the One who has done this.

Remove Your chastisement from me.

I perish from the blows of Your hand.

You chasten people with rebuke

for their transgressions

and You devour like a moth

all that is precious to them.

Certainly humanity is but mist.

Selah.

Lord – hear my prayer

and heed my cry for help

– don’t be deaf to my tears.

For with You, I am a wanderer,

an outsider like all my ancestors were.

Turn away Your angry gaze from me

so that I can smile before I depart and cease to be.