³ Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
    keep close watch over the door that is my lips.
⁴ Don’t let my heart turn aside to evil things
        so that I don’t do wicked things with evildoers,
        so I don’t taste their delicacies.

⁵ Instead, let the righteous discipline me;
    let the faithful correct me!
Let my head never reject that kind of fine oil,
    because my prayers are always against the deeds of the wicked.^[a]
6 Their leaders will fall from jagged cliffs,
    but my words will be heard because they are pleasing.^[b]
7 Our bones^[c] have been scattered at the mouth of the grave,^[d]
    just like when the ground is broken up and plowed.^[e]

⁸ But my eyes are on you, my Lord God.
    I take refuge in you; don’t let me die!
⁹ Protect me from the trap they’ve set for me;
    protect me from the snares of the evildoers.
¹⁰ Let the wicked fall into their own nets—all together!—
    but let me make it through safely.

³ The enemy is chasing me,^[a]
    crushing my life in the dirt,
        forcing me to live in the dark
            like those who’ve been dead forever.
⁴ My spirit is weak inside me—
    inside, my mind is numb.

⁵ I remember the days long past;
    I meditate on all your deeds;
    I contemplate your handiwork.
⁶ I stretch out my hands to you;
    my whole being is like dry dirt, thirsting for you.^[b] Selah

⁷ Answer me, Lord—and quickly! My breath is fading.
    Don’t hide your face from me
        or I’ll be like those going down to the pit!
⁸ Tell me all about your faithful love come morning time,
    because I trust you.
Show me the way I should go,
    because I offer my life up to you.
⁹ Deliver me from my enemies, Lord!
    I seek protection from you.^[c]
10 Teach me to do what pleases you,
    because you are my God.
Guide me by your good spirit
        into good land.
¹¹ Make me live again, Lord, for your name’s sake.
    Bring me out of distress because of your righteousness.