Waiata 120

1 He waiata; he pikitanga. I tangi, ahau ki a Ihowa i toku matenga; a i whakahoki kupu mai ia ki ahau.

A Song of Degrees. In mine affliction I cried to the Lord, and he hearkened to me.

2 E Ihowa, whakaorangia toku wairua i te ngutu teka, i te arero hianga.

Deliver my soul, O Lord, from unjust lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

3 Ko te aha e hoatu ki a koe? ko te aha hoki e tapiritia atu mau, e te arero hianga?

What should be given to thee, and what should be added to thee, for [thy] crafty tongue?

4 Ko nga pere koi a te hunga nunui, me nga waro hunipa.

Sharpened weapons of the mighty, with coals of the desert.

5 Aue, toku mate, to te manene i Meheke, toku hoki e noho nei i nga teneti o Kerara!

Woe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged; I have tabernacled among the tents of Kedar.

6 Kua roa te nohoanga tahitanga o toku wairua ki te tangata e kino ana ki te ata noho.

My soul has long been a sojourner;

7 Mo te ata noho ahau, engari ka korero ahau, ka anga ratou ka whawhai.

I was peaceable among them that hated peace; when I spoke to them, they warred against me without a cause.