Psalm 39
Words: Brady and Tate, A New Version of the Psalms of David
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.
