Psalm 39

I Purpos'd in my heart to look
carefully to my way,
That I offend not with my tongue,
lest it should go astray.
As with a bit I will restrain
my mouth with all my might,
Not once to whisper all the while
the wicked are in sight.

As I resolv'd, I silent was
and dumb, yea I forbore
My just defence, but then my grief
was kindled up the more.
Mine heart grew hot within my breast,
while I was musing long,
The fire was kindled up, then spake
I rashly with my tongue.

By death the measure of my days
and end, Lord, make me know,
How short they are, how frail I am,
Lord, let my death me show.
My days thou hast an hand-breadth made,
mine age is in thine eye
As nothing, sure in his best state
man is but vanity.

Man walketh like a shade, and doth
in vain himself annoy,
In getting goods, and cannot tell
who shall the same enjoy.
And now, O Lord, for what wait I?
what here can profit mee?
Surely on thee my soul depends,
my hope is all in thee.

Then, Lord, from my transgressions all,
do thou deliver me,
And to the foolish a reproach,
Lord, let me never be.
I was as dumb, and to complain,
no trouble might me move,
Because I knew it was thine hand,
who dost afflict in love.

Lord, take from me thy scourge & plague,
I cannot them withstand,
I am consumed by the stroak
of thine afflicting hand.
When with rebukes thou dost correct
man for iniquity,
Thou fret'st his beauty like a moth;
all men are vanity.

Lord, hear my sute, attend my cry,
answer the tears that fall,
I sojourn like a stranger here,
as did my Fathers all:
O spare a little, give me space
my strength for to restore,
Before I go away from hence,
and shall be seen no more.