Psalmorum 39

1 In finem, ipsi Idithun. Canticum David. Dixi: Custodiam vias meas: ut non delinquam in lingua mea. Posui ori meo custodiam, cum consisteret peccator adversum me.

For the Leader, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said: 'I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I will keep a curb upon my mouth, while the wicked is before me.'

2 Obmutui, et humiliatus sum, et silui a bonis; et dolor meus renovatus est.

I was dumb with silence; I held my peace, had no comfort; and my pain was held in check.

3 Concaluit cor meum intra me; et in meditatione mea exardescet ignis.

My heart waxed hot within me; while I was musing, the fire kindled; then spoke I with my tongue:

4 Locutus sum in lingua mea: Notum fac mihi, Domine, finem meum, et numerum dierum meorum quis est, ut sciam quid desit mihi.

'LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; let me know how short-lived I am.

5 Ecce mensurabiles posuisti dies meos, et substantia mea tamquam nihilum ante te. Verumtamen universa vanitas, omnis homo vivens.

Behold, Thou hast made my days as hand-breadths; and mine age is as nothing before Thee; surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. (Selah)

6 Verumtamen in imagine pertransit homo; sed et frustra conturbatur: thesaurizat, et ignorat cui congregabit ea.

Surely man walketh as a mere semblance; surely for vanity they are in turmoil; he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

7 Et nunc quæ est exspectatio mea: nonne Dominus? et substantia mea apud te est.

And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope, it is in Thee.

8 Ab omnibus iniquitatibus meis erue me: opprobrium insipienti dedisti me.

Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the base.

9 Obmutui, et non aperui os meum, quoniam tu fecisti;

I am dumb, I open not my mouth; because Thou hast done it.

10 amove a me plagas tuas.

Remove Thy stroke from off me; I am consumed by the blow of Thy hand.

11 A fortitudine manus tuæ ego defeci in increpationibus: propter iniquitatem corripuisti hominem. Et tabescere fecisti sicut araneam animam ejus: verumtamen vane conturbatur omnis homo.

With rebukes dost Thou chasten man for iniquity, and like a moth Thou makest his beauty to consume away; surely every man is vanity. (Selah)

12 Exaudi orationem meam, Domine, et deprecationem meam; auribus percipe lacrimas meas. Ne sileas, quoniam advena ego sum apud te, et peregrinus sicut omnes patres mei.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; keep not silence at my tears; for I am a stranger with Thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

13 Remitte mihi, ut refrigerer priusquam abeam et amplius non ero.

Look away from me, that I may take comfort, before I go hence, and be no more.'