Psalms 78
1 “A Maskil of Assaph.” Give ear, O my people, to my instruction: incline thy ear to the words of my mouth.
Utenzi wa Asafu. Enyi watu wangu, sikieni mafundisho yangu, sikilizeni maneno ya kinywa changu.
2 I will open with a parable my mouth: I will utter riddles out of ancient times;
Nitafungua kinywa changu kwa mafumbo, nitazungumza mambo yaliyofichika, mambo ya kale:
3 Which we have heard and know, and which our fathers have related unto us.
yale ambayo tuliyasikia na kuyajua, yale ambayo baba zetu walituambia.
4 We will not conceal them from their children, relating to the latest generation the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful deeds which he hath done.
Hatutayaficha kwa watoto wao; tutakiambia kizazi kijacho matendo yastahiliyo sifa ya Bwana, uweza wake, na maajabu aliyoyafanya.
5 Yea, he established a testimony in Jacob, and instituted a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
Aliagiza amri kwa Yakobo na akaweka sheria katika Israeli, ambazo aliwaamuru baba zetu wawafundishe watoto wao,
6 In order that the latest generation might know them, even the children that are to be born; that they may arise and relate them to their children;
ili kizazi kijacho kizijue, pamoja na watoto ambao watazaliwa, nao pia wapate kuwaeleza watoto wao.
7 That they may place in God their hope, and not forget the doings of God, but observe his commandments;
Ndipo wangeweka tumaini lao kwa Mungu, nao wasingesahau matendo yake, bali wangalizishika amri zake.
8 And that they may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that had not directed their heart firmly, and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Ili wasifanane na baba zao, waliokuwa kizazi cha ukaidi na uasi, ambao roho zao hazikuwa na uaminifu kwake, ambao roho zao hazikumwamini.
9 The children of Ephraim, like well-armed archers, that turn round on the day of battle,
Watu wa Efraimu, ingawa walijifunga pinde, walikimbia siku ya vita.
10 Kept not the covenant of God, and in his law they refused to walk;
Hawakulishika agano la Mungu na walikataa kuishi kwa sheria yake.
11 And they forgot his deeds, as also his wonders, which he had permitted them to see.
Walisahau aliyokuwa ameyatenda, maajabu aliyokuwa amewaonyesha.
12 In the presence of their fathers did he do wonders, in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zo'an.
Alitenda miujiza machoni mwa baba zao, huko Soani, katika nchi ya Misri.
13 He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters stand upright as a wall.
Aliigawanya bahari akawapitisha, alifanya maji yasimame imara kama ukuta.
14 And he led them with the cloud by day, and all the night with a light of fire.
Aliwaongoza kwa wingu mchana na kwa nuru kutoka kwenye moto usiku kucha.
15 He split rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the mighty deep.
Alipasua miamba jangwani na akawapa maji tele kama bahari,
16 And he brought forth running streams out of the rock, and caused water to run down like rivers.
alitoa vijito kutoka kwenye jabali lililochongoka, akayafanya maji yatiririke kama mito.
17 But they repeated to sin yet more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
Lakini waliendelea kutenda dhambi dhidi yake, wakiasi jangwani dhidi ya Aliye Juu Sana.
18 And they tempted God in their heart, by asking food for their desire.
Kwa makusudi walimjaribu Mungu, wakidai vyakula walivyovitamani.
19 Yea, they spoke against God: they said, Will God be able to set in order a table in the wilderness?
Walinena dhidi ya Mungu, wakisema, “Je, Mungu aweza kuandaa meza jangwani?
20 Behold, he smote the rock, so that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed: shall he also be able to give bread? or can he provide flesh for his people?
Alipopiga mwamba, maji yalitoka kwa nguvu, vijito vikatiririka maji mengi. Lakini je, aweza kutupa chakula pia? Je, anaweza kuwapa watu wake nyama?”
21 Therefore, when the Lord heard this, he became wroth: and a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also ascended against Israel,
Bwana alipowasikia, alikasirika sana, moto wake ukawa dhidi ya Yakobo, na ghadhabu yake ikawaka dhidi ya Israeli,
22 Because they had not believed in God, and had not trusted in his salvation.
kwa kuwa hawakumwamini Mungu, wala kuutumainia ukombozi wake.
23 Then he ordained the skies from above, and the doors of heaven he opened;
Hata hivyo alitoa amri kwa anga zilizo juu na kufungua milango ya mbingu,
24 And he let rain down upon them manna to eat, and the corn of heaven gave he unto them.
akawanyeshea mana ili watu wale; aliwapa nafaka ya mbinguni.
25 Angels' bread did man eat: he sent them provision to satisfaction.
Watu walikula mkate wa malaika, akawatumia chakula chote ambacho wangeliweza kula.
26 He caused an east wind to pass along the heavens; and he led forth by his strength the south wind.
Aliachia upepo wa mashariki kutoka kwenye mbingu na kuuongoza upepo wa kusini kwa uwezo wake.
27 And he let rain upon them flesh [as plentiful] as the dust, and winged birds like the sand of the sea;
Aliwanyeshea nyama kama mavumbi, ndege warukao kama mchanga wa pwani.
28 And he let them fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.
Aliwafanya washuke ndani ya kambi yao, kuzunguka mahema yao yote.
29 And they ate, and were greatly satisfied, and what they longed for he brought unto them.
Walikula na kusaza, kwa maana alikuwa amewapa kile walichotamani.
30 They were not estranged from their longing, yet was their food in their mouth:
Kabla hawajamaliza kula walichokitamani, hata kilipokuwa kingali bado vinywani mwao,
31 When the wrath of God ascended against them, and he slew some of the fattest of them, and the young men of Israel did he strike down.
hasira ya Mungu ikawaka juu yao, akawaua wale waliokuwa na nguvu zaidi miongoni mwao, akiwaangusha vijana wa Israeli.
32 With all this they sinned again, and believed not in his wonders.
Licha ya haya yote, waliendelea kutenda dhambi, licha ya maajabu yake, hawakuamini.
33 Therefore he caused their days to come to an end in nought, and their years in dread.
Kwa hiyo akamaliza siku zao katika ubatili na miaka yao katika vitisho.
34 When he slew them, then did they seek him, and they returned and inquired earnestly after God.
Kila mara Mungu alipowaua baadhi yao, waliosalia walimtafuta, walimgeukia tena kwa shauku.
35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the most high God their redeemer.
Walikumbuka kwamba Mungu alikuwa Mwamba wao, kwamba Mungu Aliye Juu Sana alikuwa Mkombozi wao.
36 Nevertheless they prayed insincerely to him with their mouth, and with their tongue they lied unto him.
Lakini walimdanganya kwa vinywa vyao, wakisema uongo kwa ndimi zao,
37 For their heart was not firm with him, and they were not faithful in his covenant.
mioyo yao haikuwa thabiti kwake, wala hawakuwa waaminifu katika agano lake.
38 But he, being merciful, forgave the iniquity, and destroyed [them] not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not awaken all his fury.
Hata hivyo alikuwa na huruma, alisamehe maovu yao na hakuwaangamiza. Mara kwa mara alizuia hasira yake, wala hakuchochea ghadhabu yake yote.
39 And he remembered that they are but flesh, a spirit that passeth away, and returneth not again.
Alikumbuka kwamba wao walikuwa nyama tu, upepo upitao ambao haurudi.
40 How oft did they rebel against him in the wilderness, grieve him in the desert!
Mara ngapi walimwasi jangwani na kumhuzunisha nyikani!
41 Yea, they once more tempted God, and set limits to the Holy One of Israel.
Walimjaribu Mungu mara kwa mara, wakamkasirisha yeye Aliye Mtakatifu wa Israeli.
42 They remembered not his hand, the day when he ransomed them from the adversary;
Hawakukumbuka uwezo wake, siku aliyowakomboa kutoka kwa mtesi,
43 When he displayed in Egypt his signs, and his wonderful tokens in the fields of Zo'an.
siku aliyoonyesha ishara zake za ajabu huko Misri, maajabu yake huko Soani.
44 And he changed their rivers into blood; and their running streams, that they could not drink [of them].
Aligeuza mito yao kuwa damu, hawakuweza kunywa maji kutoka vijito vyao.
45 He sent out among them various wild beasts, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
Aliwapelekea makundi ya mainzi yakawala, na vyura wakawaharibu.
46 And he gave unto the cricket their products, and their labor unto the locust.
Aliruhusu tunutu kuharibu mimea yao, mazao yao kwa nzige.
47 He slew with hail their vines, and their sycamore-trees with ice-bolts.
Aliharibu mizabibu yao kwa mvua ya mawe na mikuyu yao kwa mvua iliyochangamana na theluji.
48 And he surrendered to the hail their cattle, and their herds to the lightning's flashes.
Aliwaachia mifugo yao mvua ya mawe, akayapiga makundi ya wanyama wao kwa radi.
49 He let loose against them the fierceness of his anger, wrath and indignation, and distress, a host of angels of misfortune.
Aliwafungulia hasira yake kali, ghadhabu yake, hasira na uadui, na kundi la malaika wa kuharibu.
50 He leveled a path for his anger; he withheld not from death their soul, and their life he surrendered to the pestilence;
Aliitengenezea njia hasira yake, hakuwaepusha na kifo, bali aliwaachia tauni.
51 And he smote all the first-born in Egypt; the first of their strength in the tents of Ham;
Aliwapiga wazaliwa wote wa kwanza wa Misri, matunda ya kwanza ya ujana katika mahema ya Hamu.
52 But he caused his own people to depart like flocks, and guided them like a drove in the wilderness.
Lakini aliwatoa watu wake kama kundi, akawaongoza kama kondoo kupitia jangwani.
53 And he led them in safety, so that they felt no dread; but the sea covered over their enemies.
Aliwaongoza salama, wala hawakuogopa, bali bahari iliwameza adui zao.
54 And he brought them to his holy territory, even to this mount, which his right hand had acquired.
Hivyo akawaleta hadi kwenye mpaka wa nchi yake takatifu, hadi nchi ya vilima ambayo mkono wake wa kuume ulikuwa umeitwaa.
55 And he drove out from before them nations, and divided them by the measuring-line as an inheritance, and he caused to dwell in their tents the tribes of Israel.
Aliyafukuza mataifa mbele yao, na kuwagawia nchi zao kama urithi, aliwakalisha makabila ya Israeli katika makao yao.
56 Yet they tempted and rebelled against the most high God, and his testimonies they kept not;
Lakini wao walimjaribu Mungu, na kuasi dhidi ya Yeye Aliye Juu Sana, wala hawakuzishika sheria zake.
57 But swerved aside, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers; they turned about like a deceitful bow.
Kama baba zao, hawakuwa thabiti wala waaminifu, wakawa wasioweza kutegemewa kama upinde wenye kasoro.
58 And they provoked him to anger with their high-places, and with their graven images they moved him to jealousy.
Wakamkasirisha Mungu kwa mahali pao pa juu pa kuabudia miungu, wakachochea wivu wake kwa sanamu zao.
59 God heard this, and he became wroth, and felt greatly disgusted with Israel;
Wakati Mungu alipowasikia, alikasirika sana, akamkataa Israeli kabisa.
60 And he cast off the dwelling at Shiloh, the tabernacle where he had dwelt among men;
Akaiacha hema ya Shilo, hema aliyokuwa ameiweka katikati ya wanadamu.
61 And he gave up his strength unto captivity, and his glory into the adversary's hand.
Akalipeleka Sanduku la nguvu zake utumwani, utukufu wake mikononi mwa adui.
62 And he surrendered his people unto the sword; and with his inheritance was he wroth.
Aliachia watu wake wauawe kwa upanga, akaukasirikia sana urithi wake.
63 His young men the fire devoured; and his virgins were not demanded in marriage.
Moto uliwaangamiza vijana wao, na wanawali wao hawakuimbiwa nyimbo za arusi,
64 His priests fell by the sword; and his widows did not weep.
makuhani wao waliuawa kwa upanga, wala wajane wao hawakuweza kulia.
65 Then awoke the Lord as one that sleepeth, like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
Ndipo Bwana alipoamka kama vile kuamka usingizini, kama vile mtu aamkavyo kutoka kwenye bumbuazi la mvinyo.
66 And he smote his enemies backward: a perpetual disgrace on them.
Aliwapiga na kuwashinda adui zake, akawatia katika aibu ya milele.
67 Yet was he disgusted with the tent of Joseph, and of the tribe of Ephraim he made not choice;
Ndipo alipozikataa hema za Yosefu, hakulichagua kabila la Efraimu,
68 But he chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
lakini alilichagua kabila la Yuda, Mlima Sayuni, ambao aliupenda.
69 And he built like high [mountains] his sanctuary, like the earth which he hath founded for ever.
Alijenga patakatifu pake kama vilele, kama dunia ambayo aliimarisha milele.
70 And he made choice of David his servant, and took him from the sheep-folds:
Akamchagua Daudi mtumishi wake na kumtoa kwenye mazizi ya kondoo.
71 From following the ewes with young he brought him, to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
Kutoka kuchunga kondoo alimleta kuwa mchungaji wa watu wake Yakobo, wa Israeli urithi wake.
72 And he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and by the skilfulness of his hands did he lead them.
Naye Daudi aliwachunga kwa uadilifu wa moyo, kwa mikono ya ustadi aliwaongoza.
