My heart sheweth me the wickedness of the ungodly  *

that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

For he flattereth himself in his own sight *

until his abominable sin be found out.

The words of his mouth are unrighteous, and full of deceit *

he hath left off to behave himself wisely, and to do good.

He imagineth mischief upon his bed, and hath set himself in no good way *

neither doth he abhor any thing that is evil.

Thy mercy, O Lord, reacheth unto the heavens *

and thy faithfulness unto the clouds.

Thy righteousness standeth like the strong mountains *

thy judgements are like the great deep.

Thou, Lord, shalt save both man and beast; How excellent is thy mercy, O God *

and the children of men shall put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

They shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of thy house *

and thou shalt give them drink of thy pleasures, as out of the river.

For with thee is the well of life *

and in thy light shall we see light.

O continue forth thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee *

and thy righteousness unto them that are true of heart.

O let not the foot of pride come against me *

and let not the hand of the ungodly cast me down.

There are they fallen, all that work wickedness *

they are cast down, and shall not be able to stand.

I said, I will take heed to my ways  *

that I offend not in my tongue.

I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle *

while the ungodly is in my sight.

I held my tongue, and spake nothing *

I kept silence, yea, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.

My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled *

and at the last I spake with my tongue;

Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days *

that I may be certified how long I have to live.

Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long *

and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; and verily every man living is altogether vanity.

For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain *

he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.

And now, Lord, what is my hope *

truly my hope is even in thee.

Deliver me from all mine offences *

and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.

I became dumb, and opened not my mouth *

for it was thy doing.

Take thy plague away from me *

I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.

When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment *

every man therefore is but vanity.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling *

hold not thy peace at my tears.

For I am a stranger with thee *

and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength *

before I go hence, and be no more seen.