Zaburi 78
1 Utenzi wa Asafu. Enyi watu wangu, sikieni mafundisho yangu, sikilizeni maneno ya kinywa changu.
An Instructive Psalm. Asaph’s. Give ear, O my people, to mine instruction, Bend your ear to the sayings of my mouth;
2 Nitafungua kinywa changu kwa mafumbo, nitazungumza mambo yaliyofichika, mambo ya kale:
I will open, in a parable, my mouth, I will pour forth enigmas out of antiquity; —
3 yale ambayo tuliyasikia na kuyajua, yale ambayo baba zetu walituambia.
Which we have heard, and come to know, And, our fathers, have recounted to us;
4 Hatutayaficha kwa watoto wao; tutakiambia kizazi kijacho matendo yastahiliyo sifa ya Bwana, uweza wake, na maajabu aliyoyafanya.
We will not withhold [them] from their children, To a later generation, recounting the praises of Yahweh, Even his might and his wonders which he wrought;
5 Aliagiza amri kwa Yakobo na akaweka sheria katika Israeli, ambazo aliwaamuru baba zetu wawafundishe watoto wao,
When he set up a testimony in Jacob, And, a law, appointed in Israel, —Which he commanded our fathers, That they might make them known to their children;
6 ili kizazi kijacho kizijue, pamoja na watoto ambao watazaliwa, nao pia wapate kuwaeleza watoto wao.
To the end, A later generation, might come to know, Children who should be born, Who should arise, and recount [them] to their children;
7 Ndipo wangeweka tumaini lao kwa Mungu, nao wasingesahau matendo yake, bali wangalizishika amri zake.
That they might set, in Elohim, their confidence, —And not forget the doings of El, But, his commandments, might observe;
8 Ili wasifanane na baba zao, waliokuwa kizazi cha ukaidi na uasi, ambao roho zao hazikuwa na uaminifu kwake, ambao roho zao hazikumwamini.
And not become, like their fathers, a generation stubborn and rebellious, —A generation that fixed not their heart, Neither was their spirit, faithful with GOD.
9 Watu wa Efraimu, ingawa walijifunga pinde, walikimbia siku ya vita.
The sons of Ephraim—armed bowmen, Turned in the day of battle;
10 Hawakulishika agano la Mungu na walikataa kuishi kwa sheria yake.
They kept not the covenant of God, And, in his law, refused to walk;
11 Walisahau aliyokuwa ameyatenda, maajabu aliyokuwa amewaonyesha.
And forgat His doings, And his wonders which he had showed them:
12 Alitenda miujiza machoni mwa baba zao, huko Soani, katika nchi ya Misri.
In presence of their fathers, wrought he, wondrously, —In the land of Egypt—the field of Zoan:
13 Aliigawanya bahari akawapitisha, alifanya maji yasimame imara kama ukuta.
He clave the sea, and caused them to pass through, And reared up the waters like a mound;
14 Aliwaongoza kwa wingu mchana na kwa nuru kutoka kwenye moto usiku kucha.
And led them, by a cloud, in the daytime, And all the night, by a light of fire;
15 Alipasua miamba jangwani na akawapa maji tele kama bahari,
He used to cleave rocks in the desert, And let them drink as out of mighty deeps;
16 alitoa vijito kutoka kwenye jabali lililochongoka, akayafanya maji yatiririke kama mito.
And he brought forth streams out of the cliff, And caused waters to flow down, like rivers.
17 Lakini waliendelea kutenda dhambi dhidi yake, wakiasi jangwani dhidi ya Aliye Juu Sana.
But again, once more sinned they against him, Resisting the Most High in a land of drought:
18 Kwa makusudi walimjaribu Mungu, wakidai vyakula walivyovitamani.
They put GOD to the proof in their heart, By asking food to their mind:
19 Walinena dhidi ya Mungu, wakisema, “Je, Mungu aweza kuandaa meza jangwani?
Yea they spake against Elohim, —They said, Can GOD prepare a table in the desert?
20 Alipopiga mwamba, maji yalitoka kwa nguvu, vijito vikatiririka maji mengi. Lakini je, aweza kutupa chakula pia? Je, anaweza kuwapa watu wake nyama?”
Lo! he hath smitten a rock, And waters, have gushed out, Yea, torrents, have rushed along, —Food also, can he give? Or provide flesh for his people?
21 Bwana alipowasikia, alikasirika sana, moto wake ukawa dhidi ya Yakobo, na ghadhabu yake ikawaka dhidi ya Israeli,
Therefore, Yahweh hearkened, and became wroth, —And, a fire, was kindled against Jacob, Moreover also, anger, mounted against Israel;
22 kwa kuwa hawakumwamini Mungu, wala kuutumainia ukombozi wake.
Because, They believed not in God, Nor trusted in his salvation;
23 Hata hivyo alitoa amri kwa anga zilizo juu na kufungua milango ya mbingu,
Though he had commanded the skies above, And, the doors of the heavens, had opened;
24 akawanyeshea mana ili watu wale; aliwapa nafaka ya mbinguni.
And had rained on them manna to eat, And, the corn of the heavens, had given to them:
25 Watu walikula mkate wa malaika, akawatumia chakula chote ambacho wangeliweza kula.
The food of the mighty, each one did eat, Nourishment, sent he them to the full;
26 Aliachia upepo wa mashariki kutoka kwenye mbingu na kuuongoza upepo wa kusini kwa uwezo wake.
He let loose an east wind in the heavens, Then guided he, in his might, a south wind;
27 Aliwanyeshea nyama kama mavumbi, ndege warukao kama mchanga wa pwani.
And rained upon them flesh as the dust, And, like the sand of the seas, birds of wing;
28 Aliwafanya washuke ndani ya kambi yao, kuzunguka mahema yao yote.
And let them fall in the midst of their camp, —Round about their habitations.
29 Walikula na kusaza, kwa maana alikuwa amewapa kile walichotamani.
So they did eat and were abundantly filled, When, what they longed for, he had brought them: —
30 Kabla hawajamaliza kula walichokitamani, hata kilipokuwa kingali bado vinywani mwao,
They had not turned away from what they had longed for, Yet was their food in their mouth,
31 hasira ya Mungu ikawaka juu yao, akawaua wale waliokuwa na nguvu zaidi miongoni mwao, akiwaangusha vijana wa Israeli.
When, the anger of God, mounted against them, And he slew of their vigorous youths, And, the choice young men of Israel, caused he to bow down in death.
32 Licha ya haya yote, waliendelea kutenda dhambi, licha ya maajabu yake, hawakuamini.
For all this, sinned they still, And believed not in his wonders;
33 Kwa hiyo akamaliza siku zao katika ubatili na miaka yao katika vitisho.
So he ended, in a breath, their days, And their years, in a sudden terror!
34 Kila mara Mungu alipowaua baadhi yao, waliosalia walimtafuta, walimgeukia tena kwa shauku.
If he slew [of] them, then they sought him, Yea they turned, and did earnestly seek GOD;
35 Walikumbuka kwamba Mungu alikuwa Mwamba wao, kwamba Mungu Aliye Juu Sana alikuwa Mkombozi wao.
And remembered that, Elohim, was their rock, Yea, EL Most High, their Redeemer:
36 Lakini walimdanganya kwa vinywa vyao, wakisema uongo kwa ndimi zao,
So they spake him fair with their mouth, And, with their tongue, did promise him falsely;
37 mioyo yao haikuwa thabiti kwake, wala hawakuwa waaminifu katika agano lake.
But, their heart, was not fixed with him, Nor were they trusty in his covenant:
38 Hata hivyo alikuwa na huruma, alisamehe maovu yao na hakuwaangamiza. Mara kwa mara alizuia hasira yake, wala hakuchochea ghadhabu yake yote.
Yet, he, full of compassion, would put a propitiatory-covering over iniquity, and not destroy, —Yea, many a time, turned he back his anger, And would not stir up all his wrath.
39 Alikumbuka kwamba wao walikuwa nyama tu, upepo upitao ambao haurudi.
So then he remembered, That, Flesh, they were, A Wind departing, that returneth not.
40 Mara ngapi walimwasi jangwani na kumhuzunisha nyikani!
How often they, Resisted him in the desert, Vexed him, in the waste:
41 Walimjaribu Mungu mara kwa mara, wakamkasirisha yeye Aliye Mtakatifu wa Israeli.
Yea they again put GOD to the test, And, to the Holy One of Israel, caused they sorrow:
42 Hawakukumbuka uwezo wake, siku aliyowakomboa kutoka kwa mtesi,
They remembered not his hand—The day, When he ransomed them from the adversary;
43 siku aliyoonyesha ishara zake za ajabu huko Misri, maajabu yake huko Soani.
When he set, in Egypt, his signs, And his wonders, in the plain of Zoan;
44 Aligeuza mito yao kuwa damu, hawakuweza kunywa maji kutoka vijito vyao.
When he turned, into blood, their Nile-streams, And, their own rivers, could they not drink;
45 Aliwapelekea makundi ya mainzi yakawala, na vyura wakawaharibu.
He sent among them, The gad-fly, and it devoured them, And the frog, and it despoiled them;
46 Aliruhusu tunutu kuharibu mimea yao, mazao yao kwa nzige.
When he gave to the corn-locust their produce, And their toil, to the swarming locust;
47 Aliharibu mizabibu yao kwa mvua ya mawe na mikuyu yao kwa mvua iliyochangamana na theluji.
He killed, with hail, their vine, And their sycomores, with frost:
48 Aliwaachia mifugo yao mvua ya mawe, akayapiga makundi ya wanyama wao kwa radi.
When he gave up, to hail-storms, their beasts, And their cattle, to pestilent fevers;
49 Aliwafungulia hasira yake kali, ghadhabu yake, hasira na uadui, na kundi la malaika wa kuharibu.
He sent among them the heat of his anger, Wrath and indignation and distress, —A mission of messengers of misfortune:
50 Aliitengenezea njia hasira yake, hakuwaepusha na kifo, bali aliwaachia tauni.
He leveled a path for his anger, Withheld not, from death, their soul, But, their life—to the pestilence, he delivered:
51 Aliwapiga wazaliwa wote wa kwanza wa Misri, matunda ya kwanza ya ujana katika mahema ya Hamu.
So he smote, Every first-born in Egypt, The beginning of their strength, in the tents of Ham;
52 Lakini aliwatoa watu wake kama kundi, akawaongoza kama kondoo kupitia jangwani.
And he set forth, like sheep, his people, And guided them, like a flock in the desert;
53 Aliwaongoza salama, wala hawakuogopa, bali bahari iliwameza adui zao.
Yea he led them securely, and they dreaded not, And, their enemies, the sea did cover.
54 Hivyo akawaleta hadi kwenye mpaka wa nchi yake takatifu, hadi nchi ya vilima ambayo mkono wake wa kuume ulikuwa umeitwaa.
Then brought he them within his own holy bounds, The mountain-range, which his right hand made his own:
55 Aliyafukuza mataifa mbele yao, na kuwagawia nchi zao kama urithi, aliwakalisha makabila ya Israeli katika makao yao.
So he drave out, before them, [whole] nations, And allotted them, by line, an inheritance, And caused to dwell, in their own homes, the tribes of Israel.
56 Lakini wao walimjaribu Mungu, na kuasi dhidi ya Yeye Aliye Juu Sana, wala hawakuzishika sheria zake.
But they tested and resisted God Most High, And, his testimonies, did not observe;
57 Kama baba zao, hawakuwa thabiti wala waaminifu, wakawa wasioweza kutegemewa kama upinde wenye kasoro.
But drew back and dealt treacherously, like their fathers, They turned aside, like deceitful bowmen;
58 Wakamkasirisha Mungu kwa mahali pao pa juu pa kuabudia miungu, wakachochea wivu wake kwa sanamu zao.
And provoked him to anger with their high places, And, with their images, used to move him to jealousy.
59 Wakati Mungu alipowasikia, alikasirika sana, akamkataa Israeli kabisa.
God heard and was wroth, And greatly abhorred Israel;
60 Akaiacha hema ya Shilo, hema aliyokuwa ameiweka katikati ya wanadamu.
So he gave up the habitation of Shiloh, The tent he had set up among Men;
61 Akalipeleka Sanduku la nguvu zake utumwani, utukufu wake mikononi mwa adui.
Yea he gave up, into captivity, his strength, And his beauty into the hand of an adversary;
62 Aliachia watu wake wauawe kwa upanga, akaukasirikia sana urithi wake.
And delivered up, to the sword, his people, And, with his own inheritance, was he wroth;
63 Moto uliwaangamiza vijana wao, na wanawali wao hawakuimbiwa nyimbo za arusi,
His young men, were devoured by fire, And, his virgins, were not praised in song;
64 makuhani wao waliuawa kwa upanga, wala wajane wao hawakuweza kulia.
His priests, by the sword, did fall, And, his widows, were not able to bewail.
65 Ndipo Bwana alipoamka kama vile kuamka usingizini, kama vile mtu aamkavyo kutoka kwenye bumbuazi la mvinyo.
Then awoke, as one that had slept, Adonay, As a warrior exulting with wine!
66 Aliwapiga na kuwashinda adui zake, akawatia katika aibu ya milele.
So he smote his adversaries in the rear, Reproach age-abiding, laid he upon them.
67 Ndipo alipozikataa hema za Yosefu, hakulichagua kabila la Efraimu,
Howbeit he rejected the tent of Joseph, And, the tribe of Ephraim, did not choose:
68 lakini alilichagua kabila la Yuda, Mlima Sayuni, ambao aliupenda.
But made choice of the tribe of Judah, The mountain of Zion, which he loved;
69 Alijenga patakatifu pake kama vilele, kama dunia ambayo aliimarisha milele.
And built, like the heights, his sanctuary, Like the earth, he founded it to times age-abiding.
70 Akamchagua Daudi mtumishi wake na kumtoa kwenye mazizi ya kondoo.
And made choice of David his servant, And took him from among the folds of the sheep:
71 Kutoka kuchunga kondoo alimleta kuwa mchungaji wa watu wake Yakobo, wa Israeli urithi wake.
From after the sucking ewes, he brought him in, —To be shepherd to Jacob his people, And to Israel, his inheritance.
72 Naye Daudi aliwachunga kwa uadilifu wa moyo, kwa mikono ya ustadi aliwaongoza.
So he did shepherd them, according to the singleness of his heart, And, with the discernment of his hands, used he to guide them.
