1 With firm resolve I held my peace
And spake not either bad or good,
Lest I should utter sinful thoughts
While wicked men before me stood.
2 While I was dumb my grief was stirred,
My heart grew hot with thought suppressed;
The while I mused the fire increased,
Then to the Lord I made request.
3 Make me, O Lord, to know my end,
Teach me the measure of my days,
That I may know how frail I am
And turn from pride and sinful ways.
4 My time is nothing in Thy sight,
Behold, my days are but a span;
yea, truly at his best estate,
A breath, a fleeting breath, is man.
5 Man's life is passed in vain desire
If troubled years be spent for gain;
He knows not whose his wealth shall be,
And all his toil is but in vain.
6 And now, O Lord, what wait I for?
I have no nope except in Thee;
Let not ungodly men reproach,
From all transgression set me free.
7 Because Thou didst it I was dumb,
I spoke no word of rash complaint;
Remove Thy stroke away from me,
Beneath Thy chastisement I faint.
8 When Thou for his iniquity
Rebukest and correctest man,
His beauty is consumed away;
How weak his strength, how vain his plan.
9 Lord, hear my prayer, regard my cry;
I weep; be Thou my Comforter.
I am a stranger here below,
A pilgrim as my fathers were.
10 O spare me, Lord, avert Thy wrath,
Deal gently with me, I implore,
That I may yet recover strength
Ere I go hence and be no more.
Source: Psalter Hymnal (Red): doctrinal standards and liturgy of the Christian Reformed Church #75
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