1 I thought to guard my Ways with Care,
And lest my tongue grow vain,
to clap the Bridle to my Mouth;
While I'm with the Profane.
2. I silent sat, as one that's dumb,
A while, I held my Peace,
From good discourse; but this I found,
Did inward Pain increase.
3 My Heart, with Indignation, glow'd,
While I was musing long;
The fire within more fiercely burnt,
Then spake I with my tongue.
4 Teach me, O Lord, to know mine End,
And Measure of my Days,
How short they are; Oh, may I know,
How swift my time decays.
5 Lo! but a Span thou mad'st my days,
Mine Age is Nought with Thee;
At's best Estate, sure ev'ry Man
Is wholly Vanity:
6 Surely, a Shadow's all his show,
His mighty Stir is vain;
He heaps up Wealth, but knows not who
Shall heir his mighty Gain.
Second Part.
7 What, Lord, can I expect on Earth?
My Hope is fix'd in Thee.
8 Forgive my many sins; lest I,
The Scorn of Fools, should be.
9 I silent was, and ne'er complain'd
Because it was thy Will.
10 But lest thy hand consume me quite,
Remove the Strokes I feel.
11 If thou but speak an angry Word,
And man, for Sin, chastise;
So vain is he, as eat by Moths,
His Beauty fades, and dies,
12 Lord, hear my Pray'r, mov'd by my Tears,
To my Request give Ear;
For here I sojourn, Stranger=like,
As all my Fathers were.
13 O spare me, Lord, my wasted Strength,
In Mercy, now restore;
E'er at thy Summons, I go hence,
And shall be here no more.
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