Thus I Resolved Before the Lord

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.