4 Wait on the Lord, ye sons of men, Nor fear when tyrants frown; Ye shall confess their pride was vain, When justice casts them down. PAUSE. 5 The haughty sinner have I seen, Nor fearing man nor God, Like a tall bay-tree fair and green, Spreading his arms abroad. 6 And lo! he vanish'd from the ground, Destroy'd by hands unseen: Nor root, nor branch, nor leaf was found Where all that pride had been. 7 But mark the man of righteousness, His several steps attend; True pleasure runs thro' all his ways, And peaceful is his end. Psalm 38. Guilt of conscience and relief; or, Repentance, and prayer for pardon and health. 1 Amidst thy wrath remember love, Restore thy servant, Lord; Nor let a father's chastening prove Like an avenger's sword. 2 Thine arrows stick within my heart, My flesh is sorely prest; Between the sorrow and the smart My spirit finds no rest. 3 My sins a heavy load appear, And o'er my head are gone; Too heavy they for me to bear, Too hard for me t' atone. 4 My thoughts are like a troubled sea, My head still bending down; And I go mourning all the day Beneath my Father's frown. 5 Lord, I am weak, and broken sore, None of my powers are whole; The inward anguish makes me roar, The anguish of my soul. 6 All my desire to thee is known, Thine eye counts every tear, And every sigh, and every groan Is notic'd by thine ear. 7 Thou art my God, my only hope; My God will hear my cry; My God will bear my spirit up When Satan bids me die. 8 [My foot is ever apt to slide, My foes rejoice to see't; They raise their pleasure and their pride When they supplant my feet. 9 But I'll confess my guilt to thee, And grieve for all my sin, I'll mourn how weak my graces be, And beg support divine. 10 My God, forgive my follies past, And be for ever nigh; O Lord of my salvation, haste, Before thy servant die.] Psalm 39:1. 1 2 3. First Part. Watchfulness over the tongue; or, Prudence and zeal. 1 Thus I resolv'd before the Lord, "Now will I watch my tongue, "Lest I let slip one sinful word, "Or do my neighbour wrong." 2 And if I'm e'er constrain'd to stay With men of lives profane I'll set a double guard that day, Nor let my talk be vain. 3 I'll scarce allow my lips to speak The pious thoughts I feel, Lest scoffers should th' occasion take To mock my holy zeal. 4 Yet if some proper hour appear, I'll not be overaw'd, But let the scoffing sinners hear That I can speak for God. Psalm 39:2. 4-7. Second Part. 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 straight are seen no more.