Waiata 17

1 He inoi na Rawiri. Whakarongo ki te tika, e Ihowa, tahuri mai ki taku karanga, kia titaha mai tou taringa ki taku inoi, ara ki ta te ngutu tinihangakore.

A prayer of David. Listen, O Lord of my righteousness, attend to my petition; give ear to my prayer not [uttered] with deceitful lips.

2 Kia puta mai te whakaritenga o taku whakawa i tou aroaro; tirohia mai e ou kanohi te mea rite.

Let my judgement come forth from your presence; let mine eyes behold righteousness.

3 Kua whakamatauria e koe toku ngakau; kua tirotirohia iho ahau e koe i te po; kua whakamatau koe i ahau, a kahore he mea i kitea e koe; e mea ana ahau kia kaua e hara toku mangai.

You has proved mine heart; you have visited [me] by night; you have tried me as with fire, and unrighteousness has not been found in me: [I am purposed] that my mouth shall not speak [amiss].

4 Ko nga mahi ia a te tangata, ko nga kupu a tou mangai taku mea hei pa mai i ahau i nga ara o te kaiwhakangaro.

As for the works of men, by the words of your lips I have guarded [myself from] hard ways.

5 I whakaukia oku hikoinga ki au ara, kihai i paheke oku waewae.

Direct my steps in your paths, that my steps slip not.

6 Kua karanga nei ahau ki a koe, no te mea ka whakahoki kupu mai koe, e te Atua, ki ahau: whakatitahatia mai tou taringa ki ahau, whakarongo ki taku kupu.

I have cried, for you heard me, O God: incline your ear to me, and listen to my words.

7 Whakaaturia tou aroha whakamiharo, ko koe hoki, ko tou matau, te kaiwhakaora mo te hunga e whakawhirinaki ana ki a koe, i te hunga e whakatika mai ana.

Show the marvels of your mercies, you that save them that hope in you.

8 Tiakina ahau, ano ko te whatu o te kanohi, huna ahau ki raro i te taumarumarutanga o ou pakau,

Keep me as the apple of the eye from those that resist your right hand: you shall screen me by the covering of your wings,

9 I te hunga kino e tukino nei i ahau, i oku hoariri whakamate e karapoti nei i ahau.

from the face of the ungodly that have afflicted me: mine enemies have compassed about my soul.

10 E kopakia ana ratou e o ratou ngako: e korero whakapehapeha ana o ratou mangai.

They have enclosed [themselves with] their own fat: their mouth has spoken pride.

11 Tenei o matou hikoinga te karapotia nei e ratou: matatau tonu iho o ratou kanohi ki te tuku iho i a matou ki te whenua.

They have now cast me out and compassed me round about: they have set their eyes [so as] to bow them down to the ground.

12 Kei te raiona e hiahia ana ki te hopu kai te rite, kei te kuao raiona e piri ana i nga wahi ngaro.

They laid wait for me as a lion ready for prey, and like a lion's whelp dwelling in secret [places].

13 E ara, e Ihowa, haukotia tona aroaro, turakina ia ki raro; whakaorangia toku wairua ki tau hoari i te tangata kino;

Arise, O Lord, prevent them, and cast them down: deliver my soul from the ungodly: [draw] your sword,

14 I nga tangata, ma tou ringa, e Ihowa, i nga tangata o te ao: kei tenei ora nei to ratou wahi, a e whakakiia ana o ratou kopu e koe ki tau taonga. E kiki ana ratou i te tamariki, whakarerea iho nga toenga o a ratou taonga ki a ratou kohungahunga.

because of the enemies of your hand: O Lord, destroy them from the earth; scatter them in their life, though their belly has been filled with your hidden [treasures]: they have been satisfied with uncleanness, and have left the remnant [of their possessions] to their babes.

15 Ko ahau, e kite ahau i tou mata i runga i te tika, a ka tatu toku ngakau, ina oho ake ahau, kia kite i tou ahua.

But I shall appear in righteousness before your face: I shall be satisfied when your glory appears.