Waiata 123

1 He waiata; he pikitanga. Ka anga atu oku kanohi ki a koe, e koe e noho mai nei i nga rangi.

A Song of Degrees. To you who dwell in heaven have I lifted up mine eyes.

2 Ina, pera tonu nga kanohi o nga pononga e titiro nei ki te ringa o to ratou rangatira, nga kanohi hoki o te kotiro ki te ringa o tona rangatira wahine; me o matou kanohi e titiro nei ki a Ihowa, ki to matou Atua, kia tohu ra ano ia i a matou.

Behold, as the eyes of servants [are directed] to the hands of their masters, [and] as the eyes of a maidservant to the hands of her mistress; so our eyes [are directed] to the Lord our God, until he have mercy upon us.

3 Tohungia matou, e Ihowa, tohungia matou: kua tino kapi hoki matou i te whakahawea.

Have pity upon us, O Lord, have pity upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

4 Kapi tonu to matou wairua i te whakahi a te hunga e noho noa ana, i te whakahawea a te hunga whakakake.

[Yes], our soul has been exceedingly filled [with it]: [let] the reproach [be] to them that are at ease, and contempt to the proud.