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 ascents. Of David. ‘Had it not been the Lord who was for us’ let Israel say

2 Soki Yawe abatelaki biso te tango bato babundisaki biso,

‘Had it not been the Lord who was for us when enemies rose against us,

3 mbele bamelaki biso ya bomoi tango basilikelaki biso makasi.

then alive they’d have swallowed us up, when their anger was kindled against us.

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

Then the waters would’ve swept us away, and the torrent passed over us clean:

5 Mayi makasi elingaki kozindisa biso.

then most sure would’ve passed over us clean the wild seething waters.’

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

Blest be the Lord who has given us not to be torn by their teeth.

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

We are like a bird just escaped from the snare of the fowler. The snare is broken, and we are escaped.

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

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