XXXIX.
1
I said I would watch o'r my wayes,
Leist sin̄e escapt my tongue:
I bridle would my mouth, whill I
The wicked was among.
2
Dumbe was I and did silence keep,
Evin to speake good did spare,
Till my restrained sorow stir'd,
The stronger did appeare.
3
My hart within me brunt, the fire
Shutt vp, at lenth furth brack;
And, way wnto my museings made,
Thus with my tong I spak:
4
My end to know, me make O Lord,
What is my dayes' extent;
O make me know how fraile I am,
And little permanent.
5
Lo! as an handbredth hast thow made
The measure of my dayes;
And, in thy sight, my life's whole age
As it wer nothing, stays.
Man verily, evin of all men,
The meanest and most great,
Are altogether vanity,
In their best setled state.
6
Man, (surelie,) in a vain show walks;
Sure vex'd they are in vain,
To heap vp goods, (wncertaine who
Shal brook them,) taking payne.
7
And now, what wait I for, O Lord?
My hope thow art. Me free
8
From all my faults, from the reproach
Of such as foolisch bee.
9
Becaus thow didst it I am dumbe,
No word will I presume.
10
Thy stroake O turne away; Thy hand's
Sore strips my life consume;
11
For sin, correcting with rebooks
Wretcht man, thow wearst away
His beautie, moth like; sure each man,
Is vanity each way.
12
My prayer hear, hear, Lord, my cry.
My flowing tears to sie,
Do thow not silence keep, for I
A stranger am with thee.
Heer, as my fathers all, I stray;
Turne, turne thy wraith from me;
That I may take my breath before
I goe and cease to bee.
