Waiata 126

1 He waiata; he pikitanga. I ta Ihowa whakahokinga mai i nga pononga o Hiona i rite matou ki te hunga e moehewa ana.

A song for pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. When the Lord brought his people back from captivity to Zion, it was as if we were dreaming!

2 Katahi to matou mangai ka ki i te kata, to matou arero hoki i te waiata: katahi ka korerotia i roto i nga tauiwi, He nui nga mahi a Ihowa ki a ratou.

We laughed so much, we sang for joy. The other nations said, “The Lord has done wonderful things for these people.”

3 He mea nunui a Ihowa i mea ai mo tatou, a e koa ana tatou.

The Lord certainly has done wonderful things for us. How happy we were!

4 E Ihowa, whakahokia matou i te whakarau: kia pera me nga awa o te tonga.

Please return and help us again, Lord. Renew us like streams of water that renew the Negev desert.

5 Ko te hunga e rui ana i runga i te roimata, ka kokoti i runga i te hari.

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy!

6 Ahakoa haere tangi atu ia me te kawe i ana purapura hei whakatokanga; tera ia e haere hari mai ano me te mau mai i ana paihere.

Those who weep as they go out to sow their seed will be singing in celebration when they carry the harvest home.