Waiata 73
1 He himene na Ahapa. He pono, he pai te Atua ki a Iharaira; ki te hunga ngakau ma.
“BOOK III. A psalm of Asaph.” Truly God is good to Israel, —To those who are pure in heart.
2 Ko ahau ia, wahi iti kua tapepa oku waewae: me i kotahi kua paheke oku takahanga.
Yet my feet almost gave way; My steps had well nigh slipped:
3 I hae hoki ahau ki te hunga whakahi, i toku kitenga i te tangata hara e kake ana.
For I was envious of the proud, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 Kahore hoki he whakawiringa a te mate i a ratou: he maro ano o ratou uaua.
For they have no pains even to their death; Their bodies are in full health.
5 Kahore nga mea whakapouri tangata e pa ki a ratou; kahore ano ratou e whiua tahitia me te mano tangata.
They have not the woes of other men, Neither are they smitten like other men.
6 Na reira, ano he hei te whakakake e awhi nei i a ratou, ano he kakahu te tutu e hipokina nei ratou.
Therefore pride encircleth their neck as a collar; Violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Pupuhi ana o ratou kanohi i te ngako: nui ake nga mea i a ratou i a o ratou ngakau i hiahia ai.
From their bosom issueth their iniquity; The designs of their hearts burst forth.
8 E whakahi ana ratou, e korero kino ana mo te whakatoi: kei runga noa ake a ratou korero.
They mock, and speak of malicious oppression; Their words are haughty;
9 Tutuki tonu to ratou mangai ki nga rangi: e kopikopiko ana hoki to ratou arero i runga i te whenua.
They stretch forth their mouth to the heavens, And their tongue goeth through the earth;
10 Koia tona iwi i hoki mai ai ki konei: a e whakawiria ana he wai mo ratou, ki tonu te kapu.
Therefore his people walk in their ways, And there drink from full fountains.
11 E mea ana ratou, Ma te aha e matau ai te Atua? He matauranga koia to te Runga Rawa?
And they say, “How doth God know? How can there be knowledge with the Most High?”
12 Nana, ko te hunga kino tenei, kei runga tonu i te whenua rangatira, e hua ana o ratou taonga.
Behold these are the ungodly! Yet they are ever prosperous; they heap up riches.
13 He pono he maumau taku mea i toku ngakau kia ma, taku horoi hoki i oku ringa ki te harakore.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain; In vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14 E whiua ana hoki ahau i te roa o te ra, e pakia ana i nga ata katoa.
For every day have I been smitten; Every morn have I been chastened.
15 Me i ki ahau, Ka penei taku korero; na e tinihanga ana ahau ki te whakatupuranga o au tamariki.
If I should resolve to speak like them, Surely I should be treacherous to the family of thy children.
16 I taku meatanga kia matauria tenei, ka kite ahau he mahi whakauaua rawa;
So, when I studied to know this, It was painful to my eyes;
17 Tae noa ahau ki te wahi tapu o te Atua, katahi ahau ka mohio ki to ratou mutunga.
Until I went into the sanctuaries of God, And considered what was their end.
18 He pono i whakaturia ratou e koe ki nga wahi pahekeheke; a whakataka ana e koe ki te ngaromanga.
Behold! thou hast set them on slippery places; Thou castest them down into unseen pits.
19 Ano te panga whakareretanga o to ratou hunanga! kua pau rawa i nga wehi.
How are they brought to desolation in a moment, And utterly consumed with sudden destruction!
20 Ka rite ki te rekanga kanohi, ina ara ake te tangata, tau whakahawea ki to ratou ahua, e te Ariki, ina ara ake koe.
As a dream when one awaketh, Thou, O Lord! when thou awakest, wilt make their vain show a derision.
21 Na mamae noa iho toku ngakau, a hukihuki ana oku whatumanawa.
When my heart was vexed And I was pierced in my reins,
22 He whakaarokore hoki ahau, he kuware: me te mea he kirehe ahau i tou aroaro.
Then was I stupid and without understanding; I was like one of the brutes before thee.
23 Ahakoa ra kei a koe tonu ahau; e puritia ana e koe toku ringa matau.
Yet am I ever under thy care; By my right hand thou dost hold me up.
24 Ma tou whakaaro ahau e arahi; muri iho ka riro ahau i a koe ki te kororia.
Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And at last receive me in glory.
25 Ko wai hoki toku i te rangi ko koe anake? Kahore atu hoki oku i te whenua e hiahia ai, ko koe anake.
Whom have I in heaven but thee, And whom on earth do I love in comparison with thee?
26 Hemo iho oku kikokiko me toku ngakau: ko te Atua ia te kaha o toku ngakau, toku wahi ake ake.
Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 Na, ko te hunga e mamao atu ana i a koe ka mate: ka ngaro i a koe te hunga puremu katoa e whakarere nei i a koe.
For, lo! they who are far from thee perish; Thou destroyest all who estrange themselves from thee.
28 Ko ahau ia, he pai ki ahau te whakatata ki te Atua: kua waiho e ahau te Ariki, a Ihowa, hei whakawhirinakitanga moku, kia whakapuakina ai e ahau au mahi katoa.
But it is good for me to draw near to God; I put my trust in the Lord Jehovah, That I may declare all thy works.
