Nnwom 39

1 Wɔde ma dwonkyerɛfo no. Yedutun. Dawid dwom. Mekae se, “Mɛhwɛ mʼakwan yiye na mamfa me tɛkrɛma anyɛ bɔne; mɛto mʼano nnareka bere a amumɔyɛfo bɛn me yi.

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 Enti meyɛɛ komm a manka asɛm papa biara mpo nanso mʼapinisi mu yɛɛ den.

I was dumb with silence; I held my peace, had no comfort; and my pain was held in check.

3 Me koma ho guan no wɔ me mu. Midwinnwen no, ogya dɛwee; afei mede me tɛkrɛma kasae se:

My heart waxed hot within me; while I was musing, the fire kindled; then spoke I with my tongue:

4 “Awurade, ma minhu me nkwa awiei ne me nna dodow; ma minhu sɛnea me nkwa si twa mu ntɛm so.

'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 Woayɛ me nna sɛ nsateaa baako pɛ; na me mfe dodow nyɛ hwee wɔ wʼani so. Onipa nkwa yɛ ɔhome bi kɛkɛ.

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 Onipa redi akɔneaba nyinaa no, ɔte sɛ sunsuma bi kwa; ɔhaw ne ho nanso ɔyɛ kwa; ɔboa ahonya ano na onnim nea ɛbɛyɛ ne de.

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 “Afei Awurade, dɛn na merehwehwɛ? Mʼanidaso wɔ wo mu.

And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope, it is in Thee.

8 Gye me fi me bɔne nyinaa mu; mma mennyɛ nkwaseafo aserewde.

Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the base.

9 Meyɛɛ komm, na mammue mʼano, efisɛ wo na woayɛ eyi.

I am dumb, I open not my mouth; because Thou hast done it.

10 Yi wʼasotwe fi me so; wo nsa ano amanehunu amene me.

Remove Thy stroke from off me; I am consumed by the blow of Thy hand.

11 Woka nnipa anim, na wotwe wɔn aso wɔ wɔn bɔne ho; wosɛe wɔn ahonya te sɛ nwewee; onipa biara yɛ ɔhome kɛkɛ.

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 “Awurade, tie me mpaebɔ, tie me sufrɛ; nsiw wʼaso wɔ me su ho. Me ne wo te hɔ sɛ ɔnanani, sɛnea na mʼagyanom nyinaa te no.

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 Yi wʼani fi me so na manya nkwa bio, ansa na mafi ha a mente ase bio.”

Look away from me, that I may take comfort, before I go hence, and be no more.'