Psalm XXXIX

I Said I will look to my ways,
Lest with my [hasty] words I sin;
While wicked men stand by, my tongue
I'le bridle, and [with care] keep in.

With silence I became as dumb,
[Resolv'd] restraint did hold my peace;
Even from good talk and just defence,
Till [stirred] sorrows did increase.

My heart within me then grew hot,
While [troubled] thus I mused long,
Till the restrained fire broke out,
Then thus I loos'd my [bridled] tongue.

Lord make me to foreknow my end,
The shortness of my [hastning] days,
That I may know how frail I am,
(And [do my] work without delays.)

Experience tells us, Thou hast made
Man's days [to be] but as a span;
Even as meer nothing before thee
Is the short age of [Mortal] man.
Surely, not one, but every man
Here in his [setled] fastest state,
Is altogether vanity,
His life is of [so] short [a] date.

The worldling walks in a vain show,
Turmoils himself [for wealth] in vain;
He heapeth up, but doth not know
To whom it [after] will remain.

And now, O Lord, what wait I for?
My [trust and] hope is all on thee;

Save me from all my sins, lest I
To [wicked] fools a scorn should be.

As dumb I opened not my mouth,
Because [I knew] the scourge was thine.

Remove from me thy heavy hand,
Under thy [chastening] stroke I pine.

When with rebukes thou chastenest man
[Justly] for his iniquity,
His strength dissolveth like a moth;
Thus [every] man is vanity.

Lord hear my pray'r, regard my cries,
[And be] not silent at my tears,
I sojourn and a stranger am
[On earth] as all my fathers were.

O spare me yet; prolong my days,
My strength and peace [do thou] restore,
Before I go from hence by death,
And shall be seen [on earth] no more.