I’m determined to watch steps and tongue so they won’t land me in trouble. I decided to hold my tongue as long as Wicked is in the room. “Mum’s the word,” I said, and kept quiet. But the longer I kept silence The worse it got— my insides got hotter and hotter. My thoughts boiled over; I spilled my guts.

I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, And my sorrow grew worse.

But as I stood there in silence— not even speaking of good things— the turmoil within me grew worse.

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred.

So I kept very quiet. I didn’t even say anything good, but I became even more upset.

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred.

So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased

I was mute and silent [before my enemies], I refrained even from good, And my distress grew worse.

Here’s my life motto, the truth I live by: I will guard my ways for all my days. I will speak only what is right, guarding what I speak. Like a watchman guards against an attack of the enemy, I’ll guard and muzzle my mouth when the wicked are around me. I will remain silent and will not grumble or speak out of my disappointment. But the longer I’m silent, the more my pain grows worse!

I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.