What Is the Measure of My Days?

To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1 I said, "I will 1guard my ways, that I 2may not sin with my tongue; I will 3guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence."
2 I was 4mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.
3 My 5heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
4 "O LORD, 6make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and 7my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely 8all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
6 Surely a man 9goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothinga they are in turmoil; man 10heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7 "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? 11My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. 12Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 13I am mute; I do not open my mouth, 14for it is you who have done it.
10 15Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 When you discipline a man with 16rebukes for sin, you 17consume like a 18moth what is dear to him; 19surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
12 20"Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am 21a sojourner with you, 22a guest, like all my fathers.
13 23Look away from me, that I may smile again, 24before I depart and 25am no more!"