For I have kept the ways of the Lord, And have not wickedly departed from my God.

The Vanity of Life.

To the Chief Musician; for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

I said, “I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will muzzle my mouth While the wicked are in my presence.”

“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!

“For forty years I was grieved and disgusted with that generation, And I said, ‘They are a people who err in their heart, And they do not acknowledge or regard My ways.’

Oh, that my ways may be established To observe and keep Your statutes [obediently accepting and honoring them]!

I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes.

Turn my eyes away from vanity [all those worldly, meaningless things that distract—let Your priorities be mine], And restore me [with renewed energy] in Your ways.

I considered my ways And turned my feet to [follow and obey] Your testimonies.

I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are [fully known] before You.

You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And You are intimately acquainted with all my ways.