Psalm 39 (Tate & Brady)

1 Resolved to watch o'er all my ways,

I kept my tongue, in awe;

I curbed my hasty words wheu I

the wicked prosp'rous saw.

2 Like one that's dumb I silent stood,

and did my tongue refrain

From good discourse; but that restraint

increased my inward pain.

3 My heart did glow, which working thoughts

did hot and restless make;

And warm reflections fanned the fire,

till thus at length I spake:

4 Lord, let me know my term of days,

how soon my life will end;

The num'rous train of ills disclose,

which this frail state attend,

5 My life, thou know'st, is but a span,

a cypher sums my years;

And ev'ry man, in best estate,

but vanity appears.

6 Man like a shadow vainly walks,

with fruitless cares oppressed;

He heaps up. wealth, but cannot tell

by whom 'twill be possessed.

7 Why then should I on worthless toys

with anxious care attend!

On thee alone my steadfast hope

shall ever, Lord, depend.

8,9 Forgive my sins, nor let me scorned

by foolish sinners be;

For I was dumb, and murmured not,

because 'twas done by thee.

10 The dreadful burden of thy wrath

in mercy soon remove;

Lest my frail flesh too weak to bear

the heavy load should prove.

11 For when thou chast'nest man for sin

thou mak'st his beauty fade,

(So vain a thing is he,) like cloth

by fretting moths decayed.

12 Lord, hear my cry, accept my tears,

and listen to my pray'r;

Who sojourn like a stranger here,

as all my fathers were.

13 O spare me yet a little time,

my wasted strength restore;

Before I vanish quite from hence,

and shall be seen no more.