Waiata 39
1 Ki te tino kaiwhakatangi, ki a Ierutunu. He himene na Rawiri. I mea ahau, Ka ata whakaaro ahau ki oku ara, kei hara toku arero; ka tiakina toku mangai, paraire rawa, i te mea kei toku aroaro te tangata kino.
To the chief music-maker. Of Jeduthun. A Psalm. Of David. I said, I will give attention to my ways, so that my tongue may do no wrong; I will keep my mouth under control, while the sinner is before me.
2 I whakamoroki ahau, i wahangu, kihai i puaki taku kupu, ahakoa pai; a ka oho toku mamae.
I made no sound, I said no word, even of good; and I was moved with sorrow.
3 Werawera ana toku ngakau i roto i ahau; i ahau e whakaaro ana ka ka te ahi, a ka korero toku arero.
My heart was burning in my breast; while I was deep in thought the fire was lighted; then I said with my tongue,
4 E Ihowa, meinga ahau kia matau ki toku mutunga, ki te maha hoki o oku ra, e hia ranei: kia matau ai ahau he mea memeha noa ahau.
Lord, give me knowledge of my end, and of the measure of my days, so that I may see how feeble I am.
5 Nana, he whanuitanga ringa oku ra kua homai nei e koe; he kahore noa iho ano oku tau i tou aroaro: ahakoa u noa te tu o nga tangata katoa, he mea memeha kau. (Hera)
You have made my days no longer than a hand's measure; and my years are nothing in your eyes; truly, every man is but a breath. (Selah)
6 He pono kei roto i te atarangi te tangata e kopikopiko noa ana; he pono e ohorere noa ana ratou: e ami ana ia i te taonga, a kahore e matau ma wai ranei e kohi.
Truly, every man goes on his way like an image; he is troubled for no purpose: he makes a great store of wealth, and has no knowledge of who will get it.
7 Na he aha taku e tatari atu nei, e te Ariki? Ko koe taku e tumanako ai.
And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.
8 Whakaorangia ahau i aku mahi tutu katoa: kaua ahau e waiho hei tawainga ma te wairangi.
Make me free from all my sins; do not let me be shamed by the man of evil behaviour.
9 Wahangu ana ahau, kihai i kuihi toku mangai: he meatanga hoki tenei nau.
I was quiet, and kept my mouth shut; because you had done it.
10 Nekehia atu i ahau tau whiu: ka ngaro ahau i te pakinga a tou ringa.
No longer let your hand be hard on me; I am wasted by the blows of your hand.
11 Ka pakia e koe te tangata, ka whakatupehupehutia mo te hara, ka meinga e koe tona ataahua kia memeha, kia pera me te purehurehu: he pono he mea teka noa nga tangata katoa. (Hera)
By the weight of your wrath against man's sin, the glory of his form is wasted away; truly every man is but a breath. (Selah)
12 Whakarongo ki taku inoi, e Ihowa, kia titaha mai tou taringa ki taku karanga; kei wahangu koe ki oku roimata: he heke hoki ahau nau, he manene, he pera me oku matua katoa.
Let my prayer come to your ears, O Lord, and give attention to my cry, make an answer to my weeping: for my time here is short before you, and in a little time I will be gone, like all my fathers.
13 Kia ata hanga ki ahau, kia ta ai toku manawa, keiwha haere atu ahau i konei, a ka kahore noa iho.
Let your wrath be turned away from me, so that I may be comforted, before I go away from here, and become nothing.
