PSALM 39. v. 1–3. First Part. (C. M.) Watchfulness over the Tongue; or, Prudence and Zeal.
I
Thus I resolv'd before the Lord,
‘Now will I watch my tongue,
‘Lest I let slip one sinful word,
‘Or do my neighbour wrong.’
II
And if I'm e'er constrain'd to stay
With men of lives profane,
I'll set a double guard that day,
Nor let my talk be vain.
III
I'll scarce allow my lips to speak
The pious thoughts I feel,
Lest scoffers should th'occasion take
To mock my holy zeal.
IV
Yet if some proper hour appear,
I'll not be overaw'd,
But let the scoffing sinners hear
That I can speak for God.
I have not confined myself here to the sense of the psalmist, but
have taken occasion, from the three first verses, to write a short hymn on the government of the tongue.