Amahubo 39
1 Ngathi: Ngizaqaphelisa izindlela zami, ukuze ngingoni ngolimi lwami; ngizagcina umlomo wami ngetomu, omubi esesekhona 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 Ngaba yisimungulu ngokuthula; ngathula kokuhle; lokuhlupheka kwami kwavuswa.
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
3 Inhliziyo yami yatshisa phakathi kwami, ngisacabanga umlilo wavutha; ngakhuluma ngolimi lwami,
My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire kindled: [then] spake I with my tongue:
4 ngathi: Nkosi, ngazisa isiphetho sami lesilinganiso sensuku zami ukuthi siyini, ukuze ngazi ukuthi ngiyedlula kangakanani.
LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; let me know how frail I am.
5 Khangela, wenze insuku zami zaba yibubanzi besandla, lobudala bami bunjengento engesilutho phambi kwakho; isibili ngulowo lalowomuntu ekumeni kwakhe uyize nje. (Sela)
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 Isibili, umuntu uhambahamba esesithunzini; isibili, bayakhathazeka ngeze; uyabuthelela, kodwa kazi ukuthi ngubani ozakubutha.
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 Pho-ke, ngilindeleni, Nkosi? Ithemba lami likuwe.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
8 Ngikhulula kuzo zonke iziphambeko zami. Ungangenzi ihlazo lesithutha.
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9 Ngaba yisimungulu, kangivulanga umlomo wami, ngoba wakwenza wena.
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
10 Susa uswazi lwakho kimi, ngoba ngiyaqedwa yisidutshulo sesandla sakho.
Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
11 Lapho ulaya umuntu ngokukhuza ngenxa yesiphambeko, wenza ubuhle bakhe buncibilike njengenundu; isibili ngulowo lalowomuntu uyize. (Sela)
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, Nkosi, ubeke indlebe ekukhaleni kwami; ungathuleli izinyembezi zami, ngoba ngingowemzini kuwe, ohlala njengowezizwe, njengabo bonke obaba.
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 Ungangihwaqeli ukuze ngihlumelele, ngingakasuki, ngingabe ngisaba khona.
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
