I told myself I would watch how I go, That I would not sin with my tongue. I said I would keep a bridle on my mouth While people who do wrong are standing in front of me. So I went quiet. I said nothing at all, Not even the good I could have said, And the ache in me only got worse. My heart went hot inside me; The longer I turned it over, the more it burned, And then I did speak. Lord, let me know how this ends, And what the measure of my days is, So I can see how easily I break. You have made my days the width of a hand; Beside You my whole age is nothing at all. Every man goes about like a shape thrown on a wall. All the noise is for nothing. He piles up what he owns And has no idea who will come and gather it. And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? What I am hoping for is You. Get me out from under everything I have done wrong; Do not leave me as the joke of fools. I went silent, I did not open my mouth, Because this was Your doing. Hear my prayer, Lord, and listen when I call; Do not stay silent while I am crying. I am a stranger here with You, Passing through, the way all my fathers were. Let me be, and let me get my strength back, Before I go on and am not here any more.