< Psalms 39 >
1 For victorie, to Iditum, the song of Dauid. I seide, Y schal kepe my weies; that Y trespasse not in my tunge. I settide kepyng to my mouth; whanne a synnere stood ayens me.
[For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David.] I said, "I will watch my ways, so that I do not sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me."
2 I was doumb, and was mekid ful gretli, and was stille fro goodis; and my sorewe was renulid.
I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.
3 Myn herte was hoot with ynne me; and fier schal brenne out in my thenkyng.
My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:
4 I spak in my tunge; Lord, make thou myn eende knowun to me. And the noumbre of my daies what it is; that Y wite, what failith to me.
"LORD, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.
5 Lo! thou hast set my daies mesurable; and my substaunce is as nouyt bifor thee. Netheles al vanytee; ech man lyuynge.
Look, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath." (Selah)
6 Netheles a man passith in ymage; but also he is disturblid veynli. He tresorith; and he noot, to whom he `schal gadere tho thingis.
"Surely a person goes about like a shadow. Surely he heaps up vain things of wealth, and doesn't know who shall gather them.
7 And now which is myn abiding? whether not the Lord? and my substaunce is at thee.
And now, LORD, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
8 Delyuere thou me fro alle my wickidnessis; thou hast youe me schenschip to the vnkunnynge.
Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the taunt of fools.
9 I was doumbe, and openyde not my mouth; for thou hast maad,
I was mute. I did not open my mouth, because you did it.
10 remoue thou thi woundis fro me.
Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11 Fro the strengthe of thin hond Y failide in blamyngis; for wickidnesse thou hast chastisid man. And thou madist his lijf to faile as an yreyne; netheles ech man is disturblid in veyn.
When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." (Selah)
12 Lord, here thou my preier and my bisechyng; perseyue thou with eeris my teeris.
"Hear my prayer, LORD, and give ear to my cry. Do not be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.
13 Be thou not stille, for Y am a comelyng at thee; and a pilgrime, as alle my fadris. Foryyue thou to me, that Y be refreischid, bifor that Y go; and Y schal no more be.
Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more."