1 I said, "I will look to my ways,
for fear I should go wrong;
I will take heed all times that I
offend not with my tongue:
for fear I should go wrong;
I will take heed all times that I
offend not with my tongue:
2 "As with a bit I will keep fast
my mouth with force and might,
Not once to whisper all the while
the wicked are in sight."
my mouth with force and might,
Not once to whisper all the while
the wicked are in sight."
3 I held my tongue, and spake no word,
but kept me close and still;
Yea, from good talk I did refrain,
but sore against my will.
but kept me close and still;
Yea, from good talk I did refrain,
but sore against my will.
4 My heart grew hot within my breast
with musing, thought and doubt,
Which did increase and stir the fire,
at last these words burst out:
with musing, thought and doubt,
Which did increase and stir the fire,
at last these words burst out:
5 Lord, number out my life and days,
which yet I have not past;
So that I may be certified
how long my life shall last.
which yet I have not past;
So that I may be certified
how long my life shall last.
6 For thou hast pointed out my life,
in length much like a span:
My age is nothing unto thee;
so vain is every man!
in length much like a span:
My age is nothing unto thee;
so vain is every man!
7 Man walketh like a shade, and doth
in vain himself employ,
In getting goods, and cannot tell
who shall the same enjoy.
in vain himself employ,
In getting goods, and cannot tell
who shall the same enjoy.
8 Therefore, O Lord, what wait I for?
What help do I desire?
Truly my hope is e'en in thee,
I nothing else require.
What help do I desire?
Truly my hope is e'en in thee,
I nothing else require.
The Second Part
9 From all the sins that I have done,
Lord, quit me out of hand,
And make me not a scorn to fools,
that nothing understand.
Lord, quit me out of hand,
And make me not a scorn to fools,
that nothing understand.
10 I was so dumb, that to complain
no trouble could me move,
Because I knew it was thy work
my patience for to prove.
no trouble could me move,
Because I knew it was thy work
my patience for to prove.
11 Lord, take from me thy scourge and plague,
I cannot them withstand,
I faint and pine away for fear
of thy most heavy hand.
I cannot them withstand,
I faint and pine away for fear
of thy most heavy hand.
12 When thou for sin dost man rebuke,
he waxeth pale and wan,
As doth a cloth that moths have fret;
so vain a thing is man!
he waxeth pale and wan,
As doth a cloth that moths have fret;
so vain a thing is man!
13 Lord, hear my suit, and give good heed,
regard my tears that fall;
I sojourn like a stranger here,
as did my fathers all.
regard my tears that fall;
I sojourn like a stranger here,
as did my fathers all.
14 O spare a little, give me space
my strength for to restore,
Before I go away from hence,
and shall be seen no more.
my strength for to restore,
Before I go away from hence,
and shall be seen no more.