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 Canticle in steps. If the Lord had not been with us, let Israel now say it:

2 Soki Yawe abatelaki biso te tango bato babundisaki biso,

if the Lord had not been with us, when men rose up against us,

3 mbele bamelaki biso ya bomoi tango basilikelaki biso makasi.

perhaps they would have swallowed us alive. When their fury was enraged against us,

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

perhaps the waters would have engulfed us.

5 Mayi makasi elingaki kozindisa biso.

Our soul has passed through a torrent. Perhaps, our soul had even passed through intolerable water.

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

Blessed is the Lord, who has not given us into the harm of their teeth.

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

Our soul has been snatched away like a sparrow from the snare of the hunters. The snare has been broken, and we have been freed.

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

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