The Psalms of David ‎#39

39. Thus I resolv'd before the Lord

1 Thus I resolved before the Lord,
"Now will I watch my tongue,
"Lest I let slip one sinful word,
"Or do my neighbour wrong."

2 Whene'er constrain'd a while to stay
With men of lives profane,
I'll set a double guard that day,
Nor let my talk be vain.

3 I'll scarce allow my lips to speak
The pious thoughts I feel,
Lest scoffers should th' occasion take
To mock my holy zeal.

4 Yet if some proper hour appear,
I'll not be over-aw'd,
But let the scoffing sinners hear
That we can speak for God.

Part II.

5 Teach me the measure of my days,
Thou maker of my frame;
I would survey life's narrow space,
And learn how frail I am.

6 A span is all that we can boast,
How short, how fleet our time!
Man is but vanity and dust,
In all his flow'r and prime.

7 See the vain race of mortals move
Like shadows o'er the plain;
They rage and strive, desire and love,
But all the noise is vain.

8 Some walk in honour's gaudy show,
Some dig for golden ore,
They toil for heirs, they know not who,
And strait are seen no more.

9 What should I wish or wait for then
From creatures, earth and dust?
They make our expectations vain,
And disappoint our trust.

10 Now I forbid my carnal hope,
My fond desires recall;
I give my mortal interest up,
And make my God my all.

Part III.

11 God of my life, look gently down
Behold the pains I feel;
But I am dumb before thy throne,
Nor dare dispute thy will.

12 Diseases are thy servants, Lord,
They come at thy command;
I’ll not attempt a murmuring word,
Against thy chast'ning hand.

13 Yet I may plead with humble cries,
Remove thy sharp rebukes;
My strength consumes, my spirit dies,
Through thy repeated strokes.

14 Crush'd as a moth beneath thy hand,
We moulder to the dust;
Our feeble pow'rs can ne’er withstand,
And all our beauty’s lost.

15 I’m but a stranger here below,
As all my fathers were;
May I be well prepar'd to go,
When I the summons hear!

16 But if my life be spar'd a while,
Before my last remove,
Thy praise shall be my bus'ness still,
And I’ll declare thy love.

Text Information

• First Line: Thus I resolv'd before the Lord
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1789
• Scripture:
  Psalm 39

Tune Information

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