Amahubo 39
1 Ngathi: Ngizaqaphelisa izindlela zami, ukuze ngingoni ngolimi lwami; ngizagcina umlomo wami ngetomu, omubi esesekhona phambi kwami.
For the leader; for Jeduthun. A psalm of David. I vowed to watch my words, and sin not with my tongue, but to put on my mouth a muzzle, while the wicked were in my presence.
2 Ngaba yisimungulu ngokuthula; ngathula kokuhle; lokuhlupheka kwami kwavuswa.
I was silent and dumb, speechless: but my pain was stirred up.
3 Inhliziyo yami yatshisa phakathi kwami, ngisacabanga umlilo wavutha; ngakhuluma ngolimi lwami,
My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire was kindled, till at last the words came to my tongue.
4 ngathi: Nkosi, ngazisa isiphetho sami lesilinganiso sensuku zami ukuthi siyini, ukuze ngazi ukuthi ngiyedlula kangakanani.
‘Teach me, O Lord, my end, and the sum of my days what it is. Let me know how transient I am.
5 Khangela, wenze insuku zami zaba yibubanzi besandla, lobudala bami bunjengento engesilutho phambi kwakho; isibili ngulowo lalowomuntu ekumeni kwakhe uyize nje. (Sela)
See! My days you have made but a span, and my life is as nothing before you. It is but as a breath that everyone stands: (Selah)
6 Isibili, umuntu uhambahamba esesithunzini; isibili, bayakhathazeka ngeze; uyabuthelela, kodwa kazi ukuthi ngubani ozakubutha.
it is but in mere semblance we walk to and fro, and all our noise is for nothing. We heap up, and know not who will gather.’
7 Pho-ke, ngilindeleni, Nkosi? Ithemba lami likuwe.
And now, what wait I for, Lord? My hope is in you.
8 Ngikhulula kuzo zonke iziphambeko zami. Ungangenzi ihlazo lesithutha.
From all my transgressions deliver me; make me not the scorn of the fool.
9 Ngaba yisimungulu, kangivulanga umlomo wami, ngoba wakwenza wena.
I am dumb, never opening my mouth, for this is your own doing.
10 Susa uswazi lwakho kimi, ngoba ngiyaqedwa yisidutshulo sesandla sakho.
Remove your stroke from off me: by the might of your hand I am spent.
11 Lapho ulaya umuntu ngokukhuza ngenxa yesiphambeko, wenza ubuhle bakhe buncibilike njengenundu; isibili ngulowo lalowomuntu uyize. (Sela)
When you rebuke someone to punish their sins, you consume, like a moth, what they treasures. Everyone is only a breath. (Selah)
12 Zwana umkhuleko wami, Nkosi, ubeke indlebe ekukhaleni kwami; ungathuleli izinyembezi zami, ngoba ngingowemzini kuwe, ohlala njengowezizwe, njengabo bonke obaba.
Hear my prayer, O Lord; attend to my cry for help. Hold not your peace at my tears. For I am but a guest of yours, a stranger visiting, like all my ancestors.
13 Ungangihwaqeli ukuze ngihlumelele, ngingakasuki, ngingabe ngisaba khona.
Look away from me, let me smile again, before I die and am gone.
