Psalm 39

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes: 120 St Mary, 28 Ballerma

1    I said, I will look to my ways,

            lest with my tongue I sin:

      In sight of wicked men my mouth

            with bridle I’ll keep in.

2    With silence I as dumb became,

            I did myself restrain

      From speaking good; but then the more

            increased was my pain.

3    My heart within me waxed hot;

            and, while I musing was,

      The fire did burn; and from my tongue

            these words I did let pass:

4    Mine end, and measure of my days,

            O Lord, unto me show

      What is the same; that I thereby

            my frailty well may know.

5    Lo, thou my days an handbreadth mad’st;

            mine age is in thine eye

      As nothing: sure each man at best

            is wholly vanity.

6    Sure each man walks in a vain show;

            they vex themselves in vain:

      He heaps up wealth, and doth not know

            to whom it shall pertain.

7    And now, O Lord, what wait I for?

            my hope is fix’d on thee.

8    Free me from all my trespasses,

            the fool’s scorn make not me.

9    Dumb was I, op’ning not my mouth,

            because this work was thine.

10  Thy stroke take from me; by the blow

            of thine hand I do pine.

11  When with rebukes thou dost correct

            man for iniquity,

      Thou wastes his beauty like a moth:

            sure each man’s vanity.

12  Attend my cry, Lord, at my tears

            and pray’rs not silent be:

      I sojourn as my fathers all,

            and stranger am with thee.

13  O spare thou me, that I my strength

            recover may again,

      Before from hence I do depart,

            and here no more remain.