Chapter summary

The speaker resolves to watch his ways and keep his mouth silent in the presence of the wicked, though his inner turmoil ultimately causes him to speak. He asks the LORD to reveal the fleeting measure of his days, acknowledging that every person's lifetime is like a mere breath or phantom and that men bustle in vain to heap up riches. Directing his hope toward the Lord, the speaker asks to be delivered from his transgressions and saved from becoming the reproach of fools. He then pleads for relief from the divine discipline and scourging that are consuming him, describing himself as a perishing stranger and foreigner. Finally, he asks the LORD to hear his prayer, heed his weeping, and look away so he may experience a moment of cheer before departing and ceasing to exist.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.