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 the degrees.” Unto the Lord, when I was in distress, did I call, and he hath answered me.

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

O Lord, deliver my soul from lips of falsehood, and from a tongue of deceit.

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

What will [God] give unto thee? or what will he add unto thee, thou tongue of deceit?

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

Sharpened arrows of the mighty, with coals of the broom-bush.

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

Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

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

Too long for herself hath my soul dwelt with him that hateth peace.

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

I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.