Waiata 120

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

In my trouble I cried to the Lord: and he heard me.

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

O Lord, deliver my soul from wicked lips, and 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 shall be given to thee, or what shall be added to thee, to a deceitful tongue.

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

The sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals that lay waste.

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 dwelt with the inhabitants of cedar:

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

My soul hath been long a sojourner.

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

With them that hate peace I was peaceable: when I spoke to them they fought against me without cause.