Amahubo 73
1 Qotho uNkulunkulu ulungile kuIsrayeli, kulabo abahlambulukileyo enhliziyweni.
A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart.
2 Kodwa mina inyawo zami zaphose zasuka, izinyathelo zami zaphose zatshelela.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 Ngoba ngaba lomhawu ngabazikhukhumezayo, ngibona ukuphumelela kwababi.
For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 Ngoba kakulazibopho ekufeni kwabo, kodwa amandla abo aqinile.
For [there are] no bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm.
5 Kabakho enhluphekweni njengabanye abantu, njalo kabahlutshwa njengabanye abantu.
They [are] not in trouble [as other] men; neither are they plagued like [other] men.
6 Ngakho-ke ukuzigqaja kuyabazungeza njengeketane, udlame luyabasibekela njengesembatho.
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment.
7 Amehlo abo aqumbile ngamafutha; iminakano yenhliziyo iyaphuphuma.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 Bayakloloda, bakhulume ngobubi ngocindezelo; bakhuluma besekuphakameni.
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.
9 Bamisa umlomo wabo umelene lamazulu, lolimi lwabo luhamba emhlabeni.
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Ngakho abantu bakhe bayaphendukela lapha, lamanzi enkezo egcweleyo akhanyelwa bona.
Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them.
11 Njalo bathi: UNkulunkulu wazi njani? Kukhona ulwazi yini koPhezukonke?
And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Khangela, laba ngabangelaNkulunkulu, kanti bayaphumelela elizweni, bandisa inotho.
Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.
13 Isibili ngihlambulule inhliziyo yami ngeze, ngageza izandla zami ngokungelacala.
Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 Ngoba ngihlutshiwe usuku lonke, lesijeziso sami sisekuseni yonke.
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 Uba bengingathi: Ngizakhuluma ngokunje, khangela, ngabe ngisikhohlisile isizukulwana sabantwana bakho.
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy children.
16 Lapho nganakana ukwazi lokhu, kwakubuhlungu emehlweni ami,
When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;
17 ngaze ngangena ezindlini ezingcwele zikaNkulunkulu; ngasengikuqedisisa ukuphela kwabo.
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end.
18 Isibili ubamisa endaweni ezitshelelayo, ubawisela ekubhujisweni.
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 Yeka ukuchitheka kwabo njengokucwayiza kwelihlo! Baphela baqedwe ngokwesabisayo.
How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 Njengephupho ekuphaphameni, Nkosi, nxa uvuka uzadelela umfanekiso wabo.
As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Ngakho inhliziyo yami yaba buhlungu, ngahlatshwa ezinsweni zami.
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 Njalo ngaba yisiphukuphuku esingaziyo, ngaba njengenyamazana kuwe.
So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee.
23 Kodwa mina ngihlezi ngilawe; ubambe isandla sami sokunene.
Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden [me] by my right hand.
24 Uzangikhokhela ngeseluleko sakho, lemva kwalokho ungemukele enkazimulweni.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory.
25 Ngilobani emazulwini ngaphandle kwakho? Njalo kakukho engikufisayo emhlabeni ngaphandle kwakho.
Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.
26 Inyama yami lenhliziyo yami kuyaphela; uNkulunkulu ulidwala lenhliziyo yami lesabelo sami kuze kube nininini.
My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 Ngoba khangela, abakhatshana lawe bazabhubha; ubachithile bonke abaphingayo ngokusuka kuwe.
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 Kodwa mina kungilungele ukusondela kuNkulunkulu; ngibeke isiphephelo sami eNkosini uJehova, ukutshumayela zonke izenzo zakho.
But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
