Amahubo 39
1 Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. ElikaJeduthuni. Ihubo likaDavida. Ngathi, “Ngizaziqaphela izindlela zami, ngiluthinte ulimi lwami esonweni; ngizawugcika umlomo wami nxa ababi bekhona phambi kwami.”
For the Chief Musician, 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 my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
2 Kodwa kwathi lapho ngithule ngithe zwi, ngingatsho lutho loba lungoluhle ubuhlungu benhliziyo yami bakhula.
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
3 Inhliziyo yami yavutha ngaphakathi kwami; kwathi lapho ngizuliswa yimicabango, umlilo wavutha; ngasengikhuluma ngolimi lwami:
My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire kindled: [then] spake I with my tongue:
4 “Ngitshengisa, Thixo, isiphetho sempilo yami lobunengi bezinsuku zami; ngazisa ukuthi impilo yami igijima kanganani.
LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; let me know how frail I am.
5 Usuwenze insuku zami zaba lobubanzi besandla; ububanzi beminyaka yami kabusilutho kuwe. Impilo yabantu ingumoya kuphela, kanye lalabo abakhanya behlalisekile.
Behold, thou hast made my days [as] handbreadths; and mine age is as nothing before thee: surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. (Selah)
6 Umuntu uhambahamba njengesithunzi nje; uyatshikatshika, kodwa konke akwenzayo kuyize lodwa; ubuthelela inotho engazi ukuthi izakuba ngekabani.
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7 Kodwa okwamanje, Thixo, ngisafunani kambe? Ithemba lami likuwe.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
8 Ngisindisa kuzozonke iziphambeko zami; ungangenzi inhlekisa yezitha.
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9 Ngathula; ngangingeke ngiwuvule umlomo wami, ngoba lokhu kwenziwe nguwe.
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
10 Susa uswazi lwakho kimi; sengikhulelwa yisidutshulo sesandla sakho.
Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
11 Abantu uyabakhuza ubajezisele isono sabo; ucikiza inotho yabo njengenondo ngempela umuntu ngamunye ungumoya nje.
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. (Selah)
12 Zwana umkhuleko wami, Oh Thixo, lalela isikhalazo sami ngicela uncedo; ungabi ligcikandlebe nxa ngikhala. Phela ngihlala lawe nginjengesihambi, ngiyisethekeli njengoba okhokho bonke babenjalo.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 Ake ukhangele eceleni nje ukuze ngithokoze njalo, ngingakasuki lapha ngibe ngongasekho.”
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
