1 K i te tino kaiwhakatangi. Na Rawiri. Ko Ihowa taku e whakawhirinaki ai: he aha koutou ka mea ai ki toku wairua, rere a manu atu ki to koutou maunga?

In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, Flee like a bird to your mountain?

2 N ana, kua whakapikoa te kopere e te hunga kino, e whakatikaia ana a ratou pere ki te aho, hei perenga pukutanga ma ratou ki te hunga ngakau tika.

For see, the wicked are bending the bow; they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they in darkness may shoot at the upright in heart.

3 K i te wawahia nga turanga ake, me pehea te tangata tika?

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do, or what has He wrought or accomplished?

4 K ei tona temepara tapu a Ihowa, kei te rangi te torona o Ihowa: e titiro ana ona kanohi, e whakamatautau ana ona kamo i nga tama a te tangata.

The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids test and prove the children of men.

5 E whakamatautau ana a Ihowa i te tangata tika: a e kinogia ana e tona wairua te tangata kino me te tangata e aroha ana ki te tutu.

The Lord tests and proves the righteous, but His soul abhors the wicked and him who loves violence.

6 K a uaina e ia ki runga ki te hunga kino he mahanga, he ahi, he whanariki, he awha tuaikerekere: ko te wahi tena mo to ratou kapu.

Upon the wicked He will rain quick burning coals or snares; fire, brimstone, and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7 N o te mea he tika a Ihowa, e aroha ana ki te tika; ka kite te hunga tika i tona kanohi.

For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold His face, or He beholds the upright.