Psalmorum 39

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

For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”

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

I was speechless and still; I remained silent, even from speaking good, and my sorrow was stirred.

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

My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke 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.

“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.

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

You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath.

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

Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

7 Et nunc quae est expectatio mea? nonne Dominus? et substantia mea apud te est.

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

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

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

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

I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.

10 amove a me plagas tuas.

Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.

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

You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor.

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

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.

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

Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”