Nnwom 141

1 Dawid dwom. Awurade, misu frɛ wo, bra me nkyɛn ntɛm so. Sɛ misu frɛ wo a, gye me so.

A psalm of David. Lord, I call to you: hasten, to me, attend to my voice, when I call to you.

2 Ma me mpaebɔ mmra wʼanim sɛ aduhuam; ma me nsa a mema so no nyɛ sɛ anwummere afɔrebɔ.

Let my prayer be presented as incense before you, and my uplifted hands as the evening meal-offering.

3 Awurade, ma ɔwɛmfo nwɛn mʼano; na wɛn mʼano pon.

Set, O Lord, a watch on my mouth, put a guard on the door of my lips.

4 Mma wɔnntwe me koma nnkɔ nea ɛyɛ bɔne ho, na ankɔyɛ nea amumɔyɛfo yɛ no bi, mma me ne abɔnefo nni wɔn nnɔkɔnnɔkɔwade.

Incline not my heart to an evil matter, to busy myself in deeds of wickedness, in company with workers of evil: never may I partake of their dainties.

5 Ma ɔtreneeni mmɔ me, ɛyɛ ayamye; ma ɔnka mʼanim, ɛyɛ me ti so ngo. Me ti rempo. Me mpaebɔ da so tia abɔnefo nneyɛe daa.

A wound or reproof from a good person in kindness is oil which my head shall never refuse. In their misfortune my prayer is still with them.

6 Wɔbɛtow wɔn sodifo afi ɔbotan so abɛhwe fam; na amumɔyɛfo behu sɛ me nsɛm no yɛ nokware.

Abandoned they are to the hands of their judges: they shall learn that my words are true.

7 Wɔbɛka se, “Sɛnea obi funtum na otutu asase no, saa ara na wɔabɔ yɛn nnompe ahwete ɔda ano.” (Sheol h7585)

Like stones on a country road cleft and broken so lie our bones scattered for Death to devour. (Sheol h7585)

8 Nanso Otumfo Awurade, mʼani wɔ wo so; wo mu na mihintaw, nnyaw me mma owu.

But my eyes are turned towards you, O Lord. Do not pour out my life, for in you I take refuge.

9 Bɔ me ho ban fi mfiri a wɔasunsum me no ho, mfiri a abɔnefo asunsum no.

Keep me safe from the trap they have laid for me, from the snares of the workers of trouble.

10 Ma amumɔyɛfo no ankasa ɔtan nyi wɔn, bere a mitwa mu kɔ dwoodwoo no.

Into their own nets let wicked people fall; while I pass by in safety.