1. I decided, “I will watch what I sayand make sure I do not sin with my tongue.I will put a muzzle over my mouthwhile in the presence of an evil man.”
2. I was stone silent;I held back the urge to speak.My frustration grew;
3. my anxiety intensified.As I thought about it, I became impatient.Finally I spoke these words:
4. “O Lord, help me understand my mortalityand the brevity of life!Let me realize how quickly my life will pass!
5. Look, you make my days short-lived,and my life span is nothing from your perspective.Surely all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor.
6. Surely people go through life as mere ghosts.Surely they accumulate worthless wealthwithout knowing who will eventually haul it away.”
7. But now, O Lord, upon what am I relying?You are my only hope!