1. I Did resolve to guard my Ways,
And lest my Tongue grow loose, and vain,
To put the Bridle to my Mouth;
When e'er I mix'd with the Profane.
2. Profoundly silent, for a while,
I heard their Talk, and held my Peace,
Nor utter'd my devouter Thoughts;
But this did inward Pain increase.
3. My Heart, with Indignation, glow'd.
And, while I mus'd, the mighty Force
Of Zeal, which burn'd within my Breast,
Broke forth in this divine Discourse.
4. Teach me, O Lord, to know mine End,
And what's the Measure of my Days,
How they will issue; may I see
How swift my fleeting Time decays.
5. Behold thou mad'st my Days a Span,
My greatest Age is nought with Thee;
Sure ev'ry Man, at his best State,
Is altogether Vanity,
6. Man, like an empty Shadow, stalks;
Lo! with what Noise, and Toil, and Cares,
He heaps up Wealth, but all in vain:
He knows not who shall be his Heirs.
Second Part
7. What then, O Lord, can I expect,
From such a fading World as this
My Hopes are plac'd on Thee alone,
The Source, and Centre, of my Bliss.
8. From all my Guilt, and Punishment,
In Mercy, Lord, my Soul redeem;
And make me not the Scorn of Fools,
Who me reproach, and Thee blaspheme.
9. But, Lord, because 'tis thou corrects't;
I would be dumb, and not complain.
10. Yet, lest thine Hand consume me quite,
Thy heavy Strokes from me restrain.
11. For if thou speak'st an angry Word,
When ever Man offendeth Thee;
His Beauty blasts, as eat by Moths,
Sure ev'ry Man is Vanity.
12. O hear my Pray'r, attend my Cry,
With Pity Lord my Tears behold;
I, as a Stranger sojourn here,
As, all my Fathers did of old.
13. O Spare me, Lord, in Mercy spare,
My wasted Strength to me restore;
E'er by thy final Summons call'd,
I hence shall go, and be no more.
My Starred Hymns
My FlexScores
My Hymnals
My Purchased Files
