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 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 quae est expectatio 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 tuae ego defeci in increpationibus: propter iniquitatem corripuisti hominem. Et tabescere fecisti sicut araneam animam eius: 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 lacrymas 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.'
