^{1 Ref} 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.

^{2 Ref} I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred.

^{3 Ref} My heart was hot within me; While I was musing the fire burned: `Then' spake I with my tongue:

^{4 Ref} Jehovah, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me know how frail I am.

^{5 Ref} Behold, thou hast made my days `as' handbreadths; And my life-time is as nothing before thee: Surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. Selah

^{6 Ref} Surely every man walketh in a vain show; Surely they are disquieted in vain: He heapeth up `riches', and knoweth not who shall gather them.

^{7 Ref} And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.

^{8 Ref} Deliver me from all my transgressions: Make me not the reproach of the foolish.

^{9 Ref} I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; Because thou didst it.

^{10 Ref} Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.

^{11 Ref} 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

^{12 Ref} 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 Ref} Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go hence, and be no more. Psalm 40 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.