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.

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

I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

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

My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:

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

“Adonai, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail 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, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” (Selah) ·contemplation with musical interlude·.

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 every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and does not know who shall gather.

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

Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

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

Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.

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

I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.

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

Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

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

When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” (Selah) ·contemplation with musical interlude·.

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.

“Sh'ma ·Hear obey· my prayer, Adonai, 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 Yi wʼani fi me so na manya nkwa bio, ansa na mafi ha a mente ase bio.”

Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more.”