39I told myself, "I will keep watch over my tongue to keep from sinning. I will muzzle my mouth when the wicked are around."H5329H3038H4210H1732H559H8104H1870H2398H3956H8104H6310H4269H75632I was as silent as a mute person; I said nothing, not even something good, and my distress deepened.H481H1747H2814H2896H3511H59163My heart within me became incensed; as I thought about it, the fire burned. Then I spoke out:H3820H2552H7130H1901H784H1197H227H1696H39564"LORD, let me know how my life ends, and the standard by which you will measure my days, whatever it is! Then I will know how transient my life is.H3068H3045H7093H4060H3117H3045H23105Look, you have made my life span fit in your hand; It is nothing compared to yours. Surely every person at their best is a puff of wind. InterludeH5414H3117H2947H2465H3605H120H5324H3605H1892H55426In fact, people walk around as shadows. Surely, they busy themselves for nothing, heaping up possessions but not knowing who will get them.H376H1980H6754H1993H1892H6651H3045H6227How long, Lord, will I wait expectantly? I have placed my hope in you.H136H6960H84318Deliver me from all my transgressions, and do not let fools scorn me."H5337H6588H7760H2781H50369I remain silent; I do not open my mouth, for you are the one who actedH481H6605H6310H621310Stop scourging me, since I have been crushed by your heavy hand.H5493H5061H5493H3615H8409H302711You rebuke by chastening a man with the consequence of iniquities; you destroy what is attractive to him, as one would treat a moth. Indeed, every person is a puff of wind. InterludeH8433H3256H376H5771H2530H4529H6211H120H1892H554212Hear my prayer, LORD, pay attention to my cry, and do not ignore my tears. I am an alien in your presence, a stranger just like my ancestors were.H8085H8605H3068H238H7775H2790H1832H1616H8453H113Stop looking at me with chastisement, so I can smile again, before I depart and am no more.H8159H1082H3212