Scripture Verse

I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence. Psalm 39:1

Introduction

portrait
François H. Barthélémon (1741–1808)

Words: Is­aac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid 1719. Watch­ful­ness ov­er the tongue; or, pru­dence and zeal.

Music: Bal­ler­ma Fran­çois H. Bar­thé­lé­mon (1741–1808). Adapt­ed by Ro­bert Simp­son in A Se­lect­ion of Or­ig­in­al Sac­red Mu­sic, 1833 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Simpson (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), or a bet­ter one of Bar­thé­lé­mon,

portrait
Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Lyrics

Thus I re­solved be­fore the Lord,
Now will I watch my tongue;
Lest I let slip one sin­ful word,
Or do my neigh­bor wrong.

And if I’m e’er con­strained to stay
With men of lives pro­fane,
I’ll set a dou­ble guard that day,
Nor let my talk be vain.

I’ll scarce al­low my lips to speak
The pi­ous thoughts I feel,
Lest scoff­ers should th’oc­ca­sion take
To mock my ho­ly zeal.

Yet if some pro­per hour ap­pear,
I’ll not be ov­er­awed,
But let the scoff­ing sin­ners hear
That we can speak for God.