063) Psalm 39
8.6.8.6.
1 Resolved to watch o’er all my ways, I kept my tongue, in awe;
I curbed my hasty words when 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.
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