Resolved to watch over all my ways, I kept my tongue in Awe

1 Resolv'd to watch o'er all my ways,
I kept my tongue in awe;
I curb'd my hasty words, when I
the wicked prosp'rous saw.

2 Like one that's dumb, I silent stood,
and did my tongue refrain
From good discourse; but that restraint
increas'd my inward pain.

3 My heart did glow with working thoughts,
and no repose could take;
Till strong reflections fann'd the fire,
and thus at length I spake:

4 Lord, let me know my term of days,
how soon my life will end:
The num'rous train of ills disclose,
which this frail state attend.

5 My life, thou know'st, is but a span;
a cypher sums my years;
And ev'ry man, in best estate,
but vanity appears.

6 Man, like a shadow, vainly walks,
with fruitless cares oppress'd;
He heaps up wealth, but cannot tell
by whom 'twill be possess'd.

7 Why then should I on worthless toys,
with anxious cares attend?
On thee alone my stedfast hope
shall ever, Lord, depend.

8,9 Forgive my sins; nor let me scorn'd
by foolish sinners be;
For I was dumb, and murmur'd not,
because 'twas done by thee.

10 The dreadful burden of thy wrath
in mercy soon remove;
Lest my frail flesh too weak to bear
the heavy load should prove.

11 For when thou chast'nest man for sin,
thou mak'st his beauty fade
(So vain a thing is he!) like cloth
by fretting moths decay'd.

12 Lord, hear my cry, accept my tears,
and listen to my pray'r,
Who sojourn like a stranger here,
as all my fathers were.

13 O! spare me yet a little time;
my wasted strength restore,
Before I vanish quite from hence,
and shall be seen no more.

Source: The Whole Book of Psalms: in metre; with hymns suited to the feasts and fasts of the church, and other occasions of public worship #XXXIX