Psalm XXXIX.
1
I said, I would most watchful be,
To keep my tongue from sin:
And while the wicked are in sight,
My lips to bridle in:
2
I spake nor good nor bad a while;
But then my grief increast:
My heart with musing waxed hot,
And burned in my breast.
3
At last I spake, and thus began,
Lord, make me know my end:
And tell the measure of my days,
How far it will extend.
4
An hand breadth hast thou made my days,
As nothing in thy sight:
Such at his best estate is man,
So vain a thing and light.
5
His life is nothing but a dream;
He heaps up wealth in vain:
And cannot tell who shall enjoy,
The fruit of all his pain.
6
But thou, O Lord, art all my hope;
O Lord, forgive me then:
And make me not a laughing stock,
To leud and foolish men.
7
I did not murmur at thy hand,
Nor will of wrong complain:
But since I am almost consum'd,
Lord, take it off again.
8
When thou for sin dost man correct,
What is his beauty then?
As garments fair by moth consum'd,
Such are the best of Men.
9
Then hear me, and regard my tears,
For, Lord, I sojourn here,
And am a stranger in the earth,
As all my fathers were.
10
O spare me then a little space,
And strength to me restore;
Before I go away from hence,
And shall be seen no more.
