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 the steps, or the goings up.” To thee do I lift up mine eyes, O Thou who dwellest in the heavens!

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 look to the hand of their masters, And as the eyes of a maiden to the hand of her mistress, So do our eyes look to the LORD, our God, Until he have pity upon us.

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

Have mercy upon us, O LORD! have mercy upon us, For we are overwhelmed 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.

Our soul is filled to the full with the scorn of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.