¹For the leader. Set in the style of Y’dutun. A psalm of David:

²I said, “I will watch how I behave,

so that I won’t sin with my tongue;

I will put a muzzle on my mouth

whenever the wicked confront me.”

³I was silent, said nothing, not even good;

but my pain kept being stirred up.

⁴My heart grew hot within me;

whenever I thought of it, the fire burned.

Then, [at last,] I let my tongue speak:

⁵“Make me grasp, Adonai , what my end must be,

what it means that my days are numbered;

let me know what a transient creature I am.

⁶You have made my days like handbreadths;

for you, the length of my life is like nothing.”

Yes, everyone, no matter how firmly he stands,

is merely a puff of wind. (Selah)

⁷Humans go about like shadows;

their turmoil is all for nothing.

They accumulate wealth, not knowing

who will enjoy its benefits.

⁸Now, Adonai , what am I waiting for?

You are my only hope.

⁹Rescue me from all my transgressions;

don’t make me the butt of fools.

¹⁰I am silent, I keep my mouth shut,

because it is you who have done it.

¹¹Stop raining blows on me;

the pounding of your fist is wearing me down.

¹²With rebukes you discipline people for their guilt;

like a moth, you destroy what makes them attractive;

yes, everyone is merely a puff of wind. (Selah)

¹³Hear my prayer, Adonai , listen to my cry,

don’t be deaf to my weeping;

for with you, I am just a traveler

passing through, like all my ancestors.

¹⁴Turn your gaze from me, so I can smile again

before I depart and cease to exist.