38:1. Unto the end, for Idithun himself, a canticle of David.
38:2. I said: I will take heed to my ways: that I sin not with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me.
38:3. I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things: and my sorrow was renewed.
38:4. My heart grew hot within me: and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.
38:5. I spoke with my tongue: O Lord, make me know my end. And what is the number of my days: that I may know what is wanting to me.
38:6. Behold thou hast made my days measurable. and my substance is as nothing before thee. And indeed all things are vanity: every man living.
38:7. Surely man passeth as an image: yea, and he is disquieted in vain. He storeth up: and he knoweth not for whom he shall gather these things.
38:8. And now what is my hope? is it not the Lord? and my substance is with thee.
38:9. Deliver thou me from all my iniquities: thou hast made me a reproach to the fool.
38:10. I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because thou hast done it.