Amahubo 17
1 Zwana ukulunga, Nkosi, ulalele ukukhala kwami; ubeke indlebe emkhulekweni wami ongaphumi ezindebeni ezilenkohliso.
A prayer of David. Listen to my plea for justice, Yahweh; pay attention to my call for help! Give ear to my prayer from lips without deceit.
2 Ukwahlulelwa kwami kakuphume ebukhoneni bakho, amehlo akho kawabone izinto eziqondileyo.
Let my vindication come from your presence; let your eyes see what is right!
3 Uyilingile inhliziyo yami, wangihambela ebusuku; ungihlolile, kawuficanga lutho; ngihlosile, umlomo wami kawuyikuphambuka.
If you test my heart, if you come to me in the night, you will purify me and will not find any evil plans; my mouth will not transgress.
4 Mayelana lezenzo zabantu, ngelizwi lendebe zakho, mina ngizinqandile ezindleleni zomchithi,
As for the deeds of mankind, it is at the word of your lips that I have kept myself from the ways of the lawless.
5 ukusekela izinyathelo zami emikhondweni yakho, ukuze inyawo zami zingatsheleli.
My steps have held firmly to your tracks; my feet have not slipped.
6 Mina ngikubizile, ngoba uzangiphendula, Nkulunkulu; beka indlebe yakho kimi, uzwe inkulumo yami.
I call to you, for you answer me, God; turn your ear to me and listen when I speak.
7 Tshengisa ngokumangalisayo uthandolomusa wakho, wena osindisa ngesandla sakho sokunene labo abathembela kuwe kwabavukelayo.
Show your covenant faithfulness in a wonderful way, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their enemies!
8 Ngigcine njengenhlamvu yelihlo; ungifihle emthunzini wempiko zakho,
Protect me like the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings
9 kubo ubuso bababi abangicindezelayo, izitha zempilo yami ezingihanqileyo.
from the presence of the wicked ones who assault me, my enemies who surround me.
10 Bayazivalela ngamahwahwa abo; ngomlomo wabo bakhuluma ngokuzigqaja.
They have no mercy on anyone; their mouths speak with pride.
11 Sebesihanqile emanyathelweni ethu; amehlo abo bawamise besithobele emhlabathini.
They have surrounded my steps. They set their eyes to strike me to the ground.
12 Unjengesilwane esikhuthalele ukudabula, lanjengesilwane esitsha esiquthileyo endaweni ezisithekileyo.
They are like a lion eager for a victim, like a young lion crouching in hidden places.
13 Vuka, Nkosi! Uhlangabeze ubuso bakhe, umphosele phansi. Khulula umphefumulo wami komubi, oyinkemba yakho,
Arise, Yahweh! Attack them! Throw them down on their faces! Rescue my life from the wicked by your sword!
14 kubo abantu, abayisandla sakho, Nkosi, ebantwini bomhlaba, osabelo sabo sikulokhukuphila, osisu sabo usigcwalisa ngokuligugu kwakho; bagcwele abantwana, njalo batshiyele izingane zabo okuseleyo kwabo.
Rescue me from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of this world whose prosperity is in this life alone! You will fill the bellies of your treasured ones with riches; they will have many children and will leave their wealth to their children.
15 Mina, ngizakhangela ubuso bakho ekulungeni, ngeneliswe yisimo sakho ekuphaphameni kwami.
As for me, I will see your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied, when I awake, with a sight of you.
