Zaburi 78
1 Watu wangu, sikieni mafundisho yangu, sikilizeni maneno ya kinywa changu.
An Instruction of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law, Incline your ear to sayings of my mouth.
2 Nitafungua kinywa changu katika mifano; nitaimba kuhusu mambo yaliyofichika yahusuyo yaliyopita.
I open with a simile my mouth, I bring forth hidden things of old,
3 Haya ni mambo ambayo tumeyasikia na kujifunza mambo ambayo mababu zetu wametuambia sisi. Hatutawaficha uzao wao.
That we have heard and do know, And our fathers have recounted to us.
4 Tutawaambia kizazi kijacho kuhusu sifa anazostahili Yahwe kwa matendo yake, nguvu zake, na maajabu ambayo ameyafanya.
We do not hide from their sons, To a later generation recounting praises of Jehovah, And His strength, and His wonders that He hath done.
5 Kwa kuwa yeye alianzisha agano la amri katika Yakobo na sheria maalumu katika Israeli. Yeye aliamuru mababu zetu kuwa walipaswa kuzifundisha kwa watoto wao.
And He raiseth up a testimony in Jacob, And a law hath placed in Israel, That He commanded our fathers, To make them known to their sons.
6 Aliamuru hivi ili kwamba kizazi kijacho kiweze kuzijua amri zake, ili wawafundishe wana ambao bado hawajazaliwa.
So that a later generation doth know, Sons who are born, do rise and recount to their sons,
7 Kisha wangeweka tumaini lao katika Mungu na kutokusahau matendo yake bali wazishike amri zake.
And place in God their confidence, And forget not the doings of God, But keep His commands.
8 Ndipo wasingekuwa kama mababu zao, ambao walikuwa wakaidi na wenye uasi, kizazi ambacho mioyo yao haikuwa kamilifu, na ambao roho zao hazikuwa na nia thabiti na aminifu kwa Mungu.
And they are not like their fathers, A generation apostate and rebellious, A generation! it hath not prepared its heart, Nor stedfast with God [is] its spirit.
9 Waefraimu walikuwa na silaha na upinde, lakini walikimbia siku ya vita.
Sons of Ephraim — armed bearers of bow, Have turned in a day of conflict.
10 Hawakutunza agano na Mungu, na walikataa kutii sheria yake.
They have not kept the covenant of God, And in His law they have refused to walk,
11 Walisahau matendo yake, mambo ya ajabu ambayo yeye amewaonesha wao.
And they forget His doings, And His wonders that He shewed them.
12 Walisahau mambo ya ajabu aliyofayafanya machoni pa mababu zao katika nchi ya Misri, katika ardhi ya Soani.
Before their fathers He hath done wonders, In the land of Egypt — the field of Zoan.
13 Aliigawa bahari na akawaongoza katikati ya bahari; aliyafanya maji yasimame kama kuta.
He cleft a sea, and causeth them to pass over, Yea, He causeth waters to stand as a heap.
14 Wakati wa mchana aliwaongoza kwa wingu na usiku wote kwa nuru ya moto.
And leadeth them with a cloud by day, And all the night with a light of fire.
15 Alipasua miamba jangwani, na aliwapa maji mengi, ya kutosha kujaza vina virefu vya bahari.
He cleaveth rocks in a wilderness, And giveth drink — as the great deep.
16 Alifanya maporomoko ya maji kutiririka tokea mwambani na aliyafanya maji yatiririke kama mito.
And bringeth out streams from a rock, And causeth waters to come down as rivers.
17 Lakini bado waliendelea kutenda dhambi dhidi yake, wakiasi dhidi ya Aliye Juu katika jangwa.
And they add still to sin against Him, To provoke the Most High in the dry place.
18 Walimjaribu Mungu mioyoni mwao kwa kuomba chakula cha kuwatosheleza hamu zao.
And they try God in their heart, To ask food for their lust.
19 Waliongea dhidi ya Mungu; walisema, “Kweli Mungu anaweza kuweka meza ya chakula kwa ajili yetu jangwani?
And they speak against God — they said: 'Is God able to array a table in a wilderness?'
20 Tazama, wakati alipoupiga mwamba, maji yalibubujika, mito ikafurika. Lakini anaweza kutoa mkate tena? Ataweza kuleta nyama kwa watu wake?”
Lo, He hath smitten a rock, And waters flow, yea, streams overflow. 'Also — bread [is] He able to give? Doth He prepare flesh for His people?'
21 Yahwe aliposikia haya, alikasirika; moto wake uliwaka dhidi ya Yakobo, hasira yake ikamshambulia Israeli,
Therefore hath Jehovah heard, And He sheweth Himself wroth, And fire hath been kindled against Jacob, And anger also hath gone up against Israel,
22 kwa sababu hawakumwamini Mungu na hawakuamini katika wokovu wake.
For they have not believed in God, Nor have they trusted in His salvation.
23 Lakini yeye bado aliziamuru mbingu juu na kufungua milango ya mbingu.
And He commandeth clouds from above, Yea, doors of the heavens He hath opened.
24 Aliwanyeshea mana ili wale, na aliwapa nafaka kutoka mbinguni.
And He raineth on them manna to eat, Yea, corn of heaven He hath given to them.
25 Watu walikula mikate ya malaika. Aliwatumia chakula kingi.
Food of the mighty hath each eaten, Venison He sent to them to satiety.
26 Alisababisha upepo wa mashariki kupiga mawinguni, na kwa uweza wake aliuongoza upepo wa kusini.
He causeth an east wind to journey in the heavens, And leadeth by His strength a south wind,
27 Aliwanyeshea nyama kama mavumbi, na ndege kama wingi wa mchanga wa baharini.
And He raineth on them flesh as dust, And as sand of the seas — winged fowl,
28 Walianguka katikati ya kambi yao, na maeneo yote karibu na hema zao.
And causeth [it] to fall in the midst of His camp, Round about His tabernacles.
29 Hivyo walikula na walishiba. Maana aliwapa kile walichokitamani sana.
And they eat, and are greatly satisfied, And their desire He bringeth to them.
30 Lakini walikuwa bado hawajatosheka; chakula chao kilikuwa bado kinywani mwao.
They have not been estranged from their desire, Yet [is] their food in their mouth,
31 Ndipo hasira ya Mungu iliwashambulia na kuwaua wenye nguvu kati yao. Aliwaangusha chini vijana wa Israeli.
And the anger of God hath gone up against them, And He slayeth among their fat ones, And youths of Israel He caused to bend.
32 Licha ya hili, waliendelea kutenda dhambi na hawakuyaamini matendo yake ya ajabu.
With all this they have sinned again, And have not believed in His wonders.
33 Hivyo Mungu alizikatisha siku zao; miaka yao ilijawa na hofu.
And He consumeth in vanity their days, And their years in trouble.
34 Wakati wowote Mungu alipowataabisha, nao waligeuka na kumtafuta yeye kwa bidii.
If He slew them, then they sought Him, And turned back, and sought God earnestly,
35 Walikumbuka kuwa Mungu alikuwa mwamba wao na kuwa Mungu Aliye Juu Sana alikuwa mwokozi wao.
And they remember that God [is] their rock, And God Most High their redeemer.
36 Lakini walimsifia tu kwa vinywa vyao na kumdanganya kwa maneno yao.
And — they deceive Him with their mouth, And with their tongue do lie to Him,
37 Maana mioyo yao haikuwa thabiti kwake, na hawakuwa waaminifu kwa agano lake.
And their heart hath not been right with Him, And they have not been stedfast in His covenant.
38 Lakini yeye, kwa kuwa alikuwa alikuwa na huruma, aliwasamehe uovu wao na hakuwaangamiza. Ndiyo, wakati mwingi aliizuia hasira yake na hakuionesha ghadhabu yake yote.
And He — the Merciful One, Pardoneth iniquity, and destroyeth not, And hath often turned back His anger, And waketh not up all His fury.
39 Alikumbuka kuwa waliumbwa kwa mwili, upepo ambao hupita nao haurudi.
And He remembereth that they [are] flesh, A wind going on — and it returneth not.
40 Mara ngapi wameasi dhidi yake jangwani na kumuhuzunisha nyikani!
How often do they provoke Him in the wilderness, Grieve Him in the desolate place?
41 Tena na tena walimjaribu Mungu na wakamtilia mashaka Mtakatifu wa Israeli.
Yea, they turn back, and try God, And the Holy One of Israel have limited.
42 Hawakufikiria kuhusu uweza wake, jinsi alivyo waokoa dhidi ya adui
They have not remembered His hand The day He ransomed them from the adversary.
43 alipofanya ishara za kutisha katika Misri na maajabu yake katika konde la Soani.
When He set His signs in Egypt, And His wonders in the field of Zoan,
44 Aligeuza mito ya Wamisri kuwa damu ili wasipate kunywa kutoka katika vijito vyao.
And He turneth to blood their streams, And their floods they drink not.
45 Alituma makundi ya inzi yaliyowavamia na vyura ambao walisambaa katika nchi yao.
He sendeth among them the beetle, and it consumeth them, And the frog, and it destroyeth them,
46 Aliwapa mazao yao panzi na kazi yao nzige.
And giveth to the caterpillar their increase, And their labour to the locust.
47 Aliiharibu mizabibu yao kwa mvua ya mawe na miti ya mikuyu kwa mvua ya mawe zaidi.
He destroyeth with hail their vine, And their sycamores with frost,
48 Aliinyeshea mifugo yao mvua ya mawe na alirusha radi ya umeme ikapiga mifugo yao. Ukali wa hasira yake ulielekea dhidi yao.
And delivereth up to the hail their beasts, And their cattle to the burning flames.
49 Alituma gadhabu, uchungu na taabu kama wakala aletaye maafa.
He sendeth on them the fury of His anger, Wrath, and indignation, and distress — A discharge of evil messengers.
50 Aliifanyia njia hasira yake; hakuwakinga dhidi ya kifo bali aliwakabidhi kwa pigo.
He pondereth a path for His anger, He kept not back their soul from death, Yea, their life to the pestilence He delivered up.
51 Aliwaua wazaliwa wote wa kwanza katika Misri, wazaliwa wa kwanza wa nguvu zao katika mahema ya Hamu.
And He smiteth every first-born in Egypt, The first-fruit of the strong in tents of Ham.
52 Aliwaongoza nje watu wake mwenyewe kama kondoo na aliwaelekeza kupitia jangwani kama kundi.
And causeth His people to journey as a flock, And guideth them as a drove in a wilderness,
53 Aliwaongoza salama na pasipo na woga, lakini bahari iliwaelemea adui zao.
And He leadeth them confidently, And they have not been afraid, And their enemies hath the sea covered.
54 Kisha aliwaleta mpaka wa nchi yake takatifu, kwenye mlima huu ambao aliutwaa kwa mkono wake wa kuume.
And He bringeth them in unto the border of His sanctuary, This mountain His right hand had got,
55 Aliwafukuza mataifa mbele yao na akawapa urithi wao. Aliwakalisha makabila ya Israeli katika mahema yao.
And casteth out nations from before them, And causeth them to fall in the line of inheritance, And causeth the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents,
56 Lakini bado walimjaribu na walimkaidi Mungu Aliye Juu na hawakushika amri zake takatifu.
And they tempt and provoke God Most High, And His testimonies have not kept.
57 Hawakuwa waaminifu na walienenda katika hila kama baba zao; walikuwa sio wa kutegemewa kama upinde mbovu.
And they turn back, And deal treacherously like their fathers, They have been turned like a deceitful bow,
58 Kwa maana walimkasirisha kwa mahali pao pa juu na walimgadhabisha hata akawa na hasira ya wivu kwa miungu yao.
And make Him angry with their high places, And with their graven images make Him zealous,
59 Mungu aliposikia hili, alikasirika na alimkataa kabisa Israeli.
God hath heard, and sheweth Himself wroth. And kicketh exceedingly against Israel.
60 Alipaacha patakatifu pa Shilo, na hema alikoishi kati ya watu.
And He leaveth the tabernacle of Shiloh, The tent He had placed among men,
61 Aliruhusu nguvu zake kutekwa na kuutoa utukufu wake mkononi mwa adui.
And He giveth His strength to captivity, And His beauty into the hand of an adversary,
62 Aliukabidhi upanga watu wake, na aliukasirikia urithi wake.
And delivereth up to the sword His people, And with His inheritance shewed Himself angry.
63 Moto uliwavamia vijana wao wa kiume, na vijana wao wa kike hawakuwa na nyimbo za harusi.
His young men hath fire consumed, And His virgins have not been praised.
64 Makuhani wao waliangushwa kwa upanga, na wajane wao hawakulia.
His priests by the sword have fallen, And their widows weep not.
65 Kisha Bwana aliamshwa kama aliyetoka usingizini, kama shujaa apigaye kelele kwa sababu ya mvinyo.
And the Lord waketh as a sleeper, As a mighty one crying aloud from wine.
66 Aliwarudisha adui zake nyuma; aliwaweka kwenye aibu ya milele.
And He smiteth His adversaries backward, A reproach age-during He hath put on them,
67 Aliikataa hema ya Yusufu, na hakulichagua kabila la Efraimu.
And He kicketh against the tent of Joseph, And on the tribe of Ephraim hath not fixed.
68 Alilichagua kabila la Yuda na Mlima Sayuni aliyoupenda.
And He chooseth the tribe of Judah, With mount Zion that He loved,
69 Alipajenga patakatifu pake kama mbinguni, na kama nchi aliyoiimarisha milele.
And buildeth His sanctuary as a high place, Like the earth, He founded it to the age.
70 Alimchagua Daudi, mtumishi wake, alimchukua kutoka zizi la kondoo.
And He fixeth on David His servant, And taketh him from the folds of a flock,
71 Alimtoa kutoka katika kufuata kondoo pamoja na wana wao, na kumweka kuwa mchungaji wa Yakobo, watu wake, na Israeli, urithi wake.
From behind suckling ones He hath brought him in, To rule over Jacob His people, And over Israel His inheritance.
72 Daudi aliwachunga kwa uadilifu wa moyo wake, naye aliwaongoza kwa ujuzi wa mikono yake.
And he ruleth them according to the integrity of his heart, And by the skilfulness of his hands leadeth them!
