1 Vnto the end, to Idithun him selfe, a canticle of Dauid.
2 I HAVE said: I wil keepe my waies: that I offend not in my tongue. I haue set a gard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me.
3 I was dumme and humbled, and kept silence from good thinges: and my sorrow was renewed.
4 My hart waxed hote within me: and in my meditation a fyre shal burne.
5 I haue spoken in my tongue: Lord make mine end knowne to me. And the number of my daies what it is: that I may know what is lacking to me.
6 Behold thou hast put my daies measurable, and my substance is as nothing before thee. Doubtles al things are vanitie, euerie man liuing.
7 Surely man passeth as an image; yea and he is trubled in vayne. He gathereth treasure; and knoweth not to whom he shal gather them.
8 And now what is my expectation? is not our Lord? and my substance is with thee.
9 From al mine iniquities deliuer me: a reproch to the foolish thou hast geuen me.
10 I was dumme, and opened not my mouth, because thou didst it:
11 Remoue thy scourges from me.
12 By the strength of thy hand I haue faynted in reprehensions: for iniquitie thou hast chastised man. And thou hast made his soule pyne away as a spider: but vaynly is euerie man trubled.
13 Heare my prayer ô Lord, and my petition; with thyne eares receiue my teares. Keepe not silence: because I am a stranger with thee, and a pilgrime, as my fathers.
14 Forgeue me, that I may be refreshed before I depart: and shal be no more.