Amahubo 17
1 Zwana ukulunga, Nkosi, ulalele ukukhala kwami; ubeke indlebe emkhulekweni wami ongaphumi ezindebeni ezilenkohliso.
A Prayer. Of David. Let my cause come to your ears, O Lord, give attention to my cry; give ear to my prayer which goes not out from false lips.
2 Ukwahlulelwa kwami kakuphume ebukhoneni bakho, amehlo akho kawabone izinto eziqondileyo.
Be my judge; for your eyes see what is right.
3 Uyilingile inhliziyo yami, wangihambela ebusuku; ungihlolile, kawuficanga lutho; ngihlosile, umlomo wami kawuyikuphambuka.
You have put my heart to the test, searching me in the night; you have put me to the test and seen no evil purpose in me; I will keep my mouth from sin.
4 Mayelana lezenzo zabantu, ngelizwi lendebe zakho, mina ngizinqandile ezindleleni zomchithi,
As for the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
5 ukusekela izinyathelo zami emikhondweni yakho, ukuze inyawo zami zingatsheleli.
I have kept my feet in your ways, my steps have not been turned away.
6 Mina ngikubizile, ngoba uzangiphendula, Nkulunkulu; beka indlebe yakho kimi, uzwe inkulumo yami.
My cry has gone up to you, for you will give me an answer, O God: let your ear be turned to me, and give attention to my words.
7 Tshengisa ngokumangalisayo uthandolomusa wakho, wena osindisa ngesandla sakho sokunene labo abathembela kuwe kwabavukelayo.
Make clear the wonder of your mercy, O saviour of those who put their faith in your right hand, from those who come out against them.
8 Ngigcine njengenhlamvu yelihlo; ungifihle emthunzini wempiko zakho,
Keep me as the light of your eyes, covering me with the shade of your wings,
9 kubo ubuso bababi abangicindezelayo, izitha zempilo yami ezingihanqileyo.
From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death.
10 Bayazivalela ngamahwahwa abo; ngomlomo wabo bakhuluma ngokuzigqaja.
They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride.
11 Sebesihanqile emanyathelweni ethu; amehlo abo bawamise besithobele emhlabathini.
They have made a circle round our steps: their eyes are fixed on us, forcing us down to the earth;
12 Unjengesilwane esikhuthalele ukudabula, lanjengesilwane esitsha esiquthileyo endaweni ezisithekileyo.
Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places.
13 Vuka, Nkosi! Uhlangabeze ubuso bakhe, umphosele phansi. Khulula umphefumulo wami komubi, oyinkemba yakho,
Up! Lord, come out against him, make him low, with your sword be my saviour from the evil-doer.
14 kubo abantu, abayisandla sakho, Nkosi, ebantwini bomhlaba, osabelo sabo sikulokhukuphila, osisu sabo usigcwalisa ngokuligugu kwakho; bagcwele abantwana, njalo batshiyele izingane zabo okuseleyo kwabo.
With your hand, O Lord, from men, even men of the world, whose heritage is in this life, and whom you make full with your secret wealth: they are full of children; after their death their offspring take the rest of their goods.
15 Mina, ngizakhangela ubuso bakho ekulungeni, ngeneliswe yisimo sakho ekuphaphameni kwami.
As for me, I will see your face in righteousness: when I am awake it will be joy enough for me to see your form.
