THE VANITY OF LIFE_SACRED WRITINGS

Directory:SACRED WRITINGS I

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.

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