Psalm XXXIX. Imitated in Blank Verse. MDCCLXXVI

I Will take heed, I said, I will take heed, Nor trespass with my tongue; will keep my mouth As with a bridle, while the sinner's near. —Silent I mus'd, and ev'n from good refrain'd; But, full of pangs, my heart was hot within me, The lab'ring fire burst forth, and loos'd my tongue.

Lord, let me know the measure of my days, Make me to know how weak, how frail I am! My days are as a span, mine age as nothing, And Man is altogether Vanity. Man walketh in an empty shade; in vain Disquieting his soul, he heaps up riches, Knowing not who shall gather them. And now Where rests my Hope, O Lord? It rests in THEE. Forgive me mine offences! Make me not A scorn unto the foolish! I was dumb, And open'd not my mouth, for 'twas Thy doing. Oh take thy stroke away! Thy hand destroys me. When with rebukes thou chast'nest man for sin, Thou mak'st his beauty to consume away: Distemper preys upon him, as a moth Fretting a garment. Ah, what then is Man? Every Man living is but Vanity! Hear, hear my pray'r, O Lord! oh, hear my Cry! Fity my Tears! for I am in Thy sight But as a stranger, and a sojourner, As all my fathers were. Oh, spare me then, Though but a little, to regain my strength, Ere I be taken hence, and seen no more!