XXXIX THE VANITY OF LIFE
For the Chief Musician, for Jeduthun.〖Ps. 62. title; 77. title; 1 Chr. 16. 41; 25. 1.〗 A Psalm of David.
［1］ I SAID, I will take heed to my ways,
That I sin not with my tongue:
I will keep my〖Heb. a bridle (or, muzzle) for my mouth.〗 mouth with a bridle,
While the wicked is before me.
［2］ I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even〖Or, and had no comfort.Heb. away from good.〗 from good;
And my sorrow was stirred.
［3］ My heart was hot within me;
While I was musing the fire burned;
Then spake I with my tongue:
［4］ Jehovah, make me to know mine end,
And the measure of my days, what it is;
Let me know how frail I am.
［5］ Behold, thou hast made my days as handbreadths;
And my life-time is as nothing before thee:
Surely every man at〖Heb. standing firm.〗 his best estate is altogether vanity.〖Heb. a breath.〗 ［Selah
［6］ Surely every man walketh in〖Or, as a shadow.〗 a vain show;
Surely they are disquieted in〖Or, for vanity.〗 vain:
He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
［7］ And now, Lord, what wait I for?
My hope is in thee.
［8］ Deliver me from all my transgressions:
Make me not the reproach of the foolish.
［9］ I was dumb, I opened not my mouth;
Because thou didst it.
［10］ Remove thy stroke away from me:
I am consumed by the blow〖Heb. conflict.〗 of thy hand.
［11］ When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity,
Thou makest〖Or, consumest like a moth his delights.〗 his beauty to consume away like a moth:
Surely every man is vanity.〖Heb. a breath.〗 ［Selah
［12］ Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear unto my cry;
Hold not thy peace at my tears:
For I am a stranger with thee,
A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
［13］ Oh spare〖Or, look away from me.〗 me, that I may recover〖Heb. brighten up.〗 strength,
Before I go hence, and be no more.