< Psalms 17 >
1 [A Prayer by David.] Hear, YHWH, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.
Umkhuleko kaDavida. Zwana, Oh Thixo, ukuncenga kwami okulungileyo; lalela ukukhala kwami. Zwana umkhuleko wami, kawusuki ezindebeni ezikhohlisayo.
2 Let my sentence come forth from your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.
Ukugezwa kwami ecaleni kakuvele kuwe; sengathi amehlo Akho angabona lokho okuqondileyo.
3 You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
Udungulule inhliziyo yami wangihlola ebusuku wangilinga, kawuyikufumana lutho olubi engiluhlelileyo; sengizimisele ukuthi umlomo wami ungenzi sono.
4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
Mayelana lezenzo zabantu, mina ngizazithiba ezindleleni zobudlwangudlwangu ngelizwi lezindebe zakho.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
Izinyathelo zami zalela ezindleleni zakho; inyawo zami kazizange zitshelele.
6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.
Ngikhala kuwe, Oh Nkulunkulu ngoba uzangiphendula; ngilalela uzwe umkhuleko wami.
7 Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
Tshengisa ukumangalisa kothando lwakho olukhulu, wena osindisa ngesandla sakho sokunene, labo ababalekela kuwe ezitheni zabo.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,
Ngilondoloza njengegugu lakho; ngifihla emthunzini wamaphiko akho
9 from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.
kwababi abangihlaselayo, ezitheni zami ezimbi ezingihanqileyo.
10 They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.
Bagcika inhliziyo zabo ezingelazwelo, lemilomo yabo ikhuluma iqholoza.
11 They have tracked me down; suddenly they surround me. They watch closely, crouching down to the ground.
Sebeze bangithola, manje sebengihanqile bangiqhuzulele amehlo bafuna ukungilahla phansi.
12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
Banjengesilwane silambele loba yini esingayidumela, njengesilwane esesabekayo siquthile sicatshile.
13 Arise, YHWH, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;
Phakama, Oh Thixo, basukele, balahle phansi; ngilamulela kwababi ngenkemba yakho.
14 from men with your hand, YHWH, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure. They are satisfied with children, and they leave their wealth to their little ones.
Oh Thixo, ngisindisa ngesandla sakho ebantwini abanjalo, ebantwini bakulumhlaba omvuzo wabo ukuyonale impilo. Udedisa iphango lalabo obathandayo; amadodana abo akhomba ngophakathi; baqoqela abantwababo inotho.
15 As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.
Mina-ke ngenxa yokulunga ngizabubona ubuso bakho; ngizakuthi ekuvukeni kwami nganeliswe yikubona isimo sakho.