Banzembo 124

1 Nzembo ya Davidi. Nzembo ya mobembo mpo na kokende na Tempelo ya Yawe. Soki Yawe abatelaki biso te; tika ete Isalaele aloba bongo!

A Song of the going up. Of David. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side (let Israel now say);

2 Soki Yawe abatelaki biso te tango bato babundisaki biso,

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men came up against us;

3 mbele bamelaki biso ya bomoi tango basilikelaki biso makasi.

They would have made a meal of us while still living, in the heat of their wrath against us:

4 Boye mayi elingaki kozindisa biso, mbonge makasi elingaki komema biso.

We would have been covered by the waters; the streams would have gone over our soul;

5 Mayi makasi elingaki kozindisa biso.

Yes, the waters of pride would have gone over our soul.

6 Tika ete Yawe apambolama, Ye oyo andimaki te ete minu na bango epasola biso!

Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be wounded by their teeth.

7 Tobikaki lokola ndeke liboso ya motambo ya mokangi bandeke; motambo ekatanaki, mpe tokimaki.

Our soul has gone free like a bird out of the net of those who would take her: the net is broken, and we are free.

8 Lisungi na biso ezali kati na Kombo na Yawe oyo akela likolo mpe mabele.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.