King James Version KJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
1
To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will bridle my mouth, so long as the wicked are in my presence."
2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
2
I was dumb and silent, I held my peace to no avail; my distress grew worse,
3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
3
my heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
4
"LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is!
5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
5
Behold, thou hast made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in thy sight. Surely every man stands as a mere breath! [Selah]
6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
6
Surely man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nought are they in turmoil; man heaps up, and knows not who will gather!
7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
7
"And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in thee.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
8
Deliver me from all my transgressions. Make me not the scorn of the fool!
9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
9
I am dumb, I do not open my mouth; for it is thou who hast done it.
10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
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Remove thy stroke from me; I am spent by the blows of thy hand.
11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
11
When thou dost chasten man with rebukes for sin, thou dost consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely every man is a mere breath! [Selah]
12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
12
"Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears! For I am thy passing guest, a sojourner, like all my fathers.
13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
13
Look away from me, that I may know gladness, before I depart and be no more!"
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.