Psa. 39.
[_]
To the cheef Musitian to Iduthun a psalme of
David. The Prophet resolves a patient watchfulnes over
the tongue; Bemoanes the vanitie, & miserie of mankinde,
& petitions for God's mercie, &c. It may serve to instruct
& comfort vs, during the provocations of
the wicked, & in other afflictions,
[1]
I vow'd to keep my waies vpright,
And, that in words, I none would wrong.
While sinners were, therfore, in sight,
I shut my lipps, & stayd my tongue:
What er'e they sayd, I silent stood;
Refraining words, though they were good.
2
But, greefs did then to stirr beginn,
Which, hot in me, my hart did make;
My thoughts inflam'd a fire within,
Which loos'd my tongue, & then I spake.
Lord, of my end, informe thou me;
And, what my dayes, & frailties, be.
3
For, loe, my life is but a spann;
It seems as nothing, in thine eyes:
Ev'n at his best, most vaine is man,
And, like the shade away he flies.
He tires himself, with needles paines,
And knowes not who shall reap his gaines.
4
On thee, therefore, I do attend;
My trust, oh Lord, I place on thee.
From all my sinns, my soul defend;
From flouting-fooles, preserve thou mee:
For, I forbare to speak a word,
Because, it was thy doeng, Lord.
5
Thy hand, with blowes, doth me afflict;
Oh! take thy heavie strokes away.
When thou for sinn dost, man correct,
Thou, Moth-like sretst their Forme awaie.
Therfore, no cause of doubts remaine,
That ev'ry man is wholie vaine.
6
Lord, hear my suite; my criengs hear;
Let not my teares vnmention'd goe:
For, as thy Guests, my Fathers were,
(And strangers here) ev'n I, am soe.
Oh! spare, & grant me strength, I pray,
Before I passe from hence, for aye.
