Waiata 143
1 He himene na Rawiri. E Ihowa, whakarongo ki taku inoi, kia titaha mai tou taringa ki aku inoi: whakahokia mai he kupu ki ahau i runga i tou pono, i runga i tou tika.
Yahweh, hear me while I pray to you! Because you are righteous and because you faithfully do what you have promised, listen to what I am pleading that you [do for me].
2 A kaua e anga e whakawa ki tau pononga: ki tau titiro hoki kahore tetahi mea ora e tika.
I am one who serves you; do not judge me, because you know that everyone has done things that are wrong).
3 Kua tukinotia hoki toku wairua e te hoariri; patua iho e ia toku ora ki raro ki te whenua: meinga ana ahau e ia kia noho i nga wahi pouri, kia rite ki nga tupapaku onamata.
[My] enemies have pursued me; they have completely defeated me. [It is as though] they have put me in a dark [prison], where I [have nothing good to] ([hope for/expect]), like those who died long ago [SIM].
4 Na reira i ngaro ai toku wairua i roto i ahau: moti rawa toku ngakau i roto i ahau.
So I am very discouraged; I am very dismayed/worried.
5 E mahara ana ahau ki nga ra onamata; e whakaaro ana ki au mahi katoa: e whakaaroaro ana ahau ki nga meatanga a ou ringa.
I remember what has happened previously: I (meditate on/think about) all the things that you have done; I consider [all] the [great] deeds that you [SYN] have performed.
6 Totoro tonu atu oku ringa ki a koe: e hiainu ana toku wairua ki a koe, ano he whenua mauiui. (Hera)
I lift up my hands/arms to you while I pray; I [SYN] need you, like very dry ground [needs rain] [SIM].
7 Hohoro te whakahoki kupu mai ki ahau, e Ihowa; ka hemo toku wairua: kei huna tou mata ki ahau; kei rite ahau ki te hunga e heke ana ki te poka.
Yahweh, I am very discouraged, [so] please answer me right now! Do not hide from me, because if you do that, I will [soon] be [SIM] among those who descend to where the dead people are.
8 Meinga kia rongo ahau ki tou aroha i te ata; e whakawhirinaki ana hoki ahau ki a koe: meinga kia matau ahau ki te ara e haere ai ahau; kua ara nei hoki toku wairua ki a koe.
[Every] morning cause me to remember that you faithfully love [me], because I trust in you. I (pray/send my prayers up [IDM]) to you; show me what I should do.
9 Whakaorangia ahau, e Ihowa, i oku hoariri: ka kuhu nei ahau ki roto ki a koe.
Yahweh, I have gone/run to you to be protected, [so] rescue me from my enemies.
10 Whakaakona ahau ki te mea i tau e pai ai; ko koe hoki toku Atua: he pai tou wairua; arahina ahau ki te whenua o te tika.
You are my God; teach me to do what you want me to do. I want your good Spirit to lead me on a path that is not difficult to walk on.
11 Whakahauorangia ahau, e Ihowa, he whakaaro ki tou ingoa; whakaarohia tou tika, ka whakaputa ake i toku wairua i roto i te pouri.
Yahweh, restore me when I am close to dying, as you promised to do. Because you are righteous/good, rescue me from my troubles/difficulties!
12 Aroha mai hoki, a huna oku hoariri: whakangaromia katoatia ano nga kaitukino o toku wairua: he pononga hoki ahau nau.
I am one who serves you; so because you faithfully love [me], kill my enemies and get rid of all those who (oppress/cause trouble for) me.
