Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#76b

76b. The Vanity of Man as mortal

1 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.

2 A span is all that we can boast,
An inch or two of time:
Man is but vanity and dust
In all his flower and prime.

3 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.

4 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.

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

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

Text Information

• First Line: Teach me the measure of my days
• Title: The Vanity of Man as mortal
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1787
• Scripture:
  Psalm 39:4-7
• Topic: Afflictions: submission to them; Devotion: on a sick bed; Health: prayed for; Man: his vanity as mortal; Mortality: of man; Pleading: without repining; Resignation; Sick bed devotion; Submission: to sickness; Tongues governed; Vanity: of man as mortal; Watchfulness: over the tongue; Zeal and Prudence
• Notes: Second part

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