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 by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin 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 mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. 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 meditated, the fire burnt. I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Ngitshengisa, Thixo, isiphetho sempilo yami lobunengi bezinsuku zami; ngazisa ukuthi impilo yami igijima kanganani.
“LORD, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. 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, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” (Selah)
6 Umuntu uhambahamba njengesithunzi nje; uyatshikatshika, kodwa konke akwenzayo kuyize lodwa; ubuthelela inotho engazi ukuthi izakuba ngekabani.
“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.
7 Kodwa okwamanje, Thixo, ngisafunani kambe? Ithemba lami likuwe.
Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
8 Ngisindisa kuzozonke iziphambeko zami; ungangenzi inhlekisa yezitha.
Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.
9 Ngathula; ngangingeke ngiwuvule umlomo wami, ngoba lokhu kwenziwe nguwe.
I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.
10 Susa uswazi lwakho kimi; sengikhulelwa yisidutshulo sesandla sakho.
Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11 Abantu uyabakhuza ubajezisele isono sabo; ucikiza inotho yabo njengenondo ngempela umuntu ngamunye ungumoya nje.
When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” (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, LORD, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.
13 Ake ukhangele eceleni nje ukuze ngithokoze njalo, ngingakasuki lapha ngibe ngongasekho.”
Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away and exist no more.”
