I thought to guard my ways with care

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 3

My Heart, with Indignation, glow'd, While I was musing long; The fire within more fiercely burnt, Then spake I with my tongue.

Verse 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.

Verse 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:

Verse 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.

Verse 7

What, Lord, can I expect on Earth? My Hope is fix'd in Thee.

Verse 8

Forgive my many sins; lest I, The Scorn of Fools, should be.

Verse 9

I silent was, and ne'er complain'd Because it was thy Will.

Verse 10

But lest thy hand consume me quite, Remove the Strokes I feel.

Verse 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,

Verse 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.

Verse 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.