Psalm 129

A Song of degrees.

1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:s2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.s3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.4 The Lord is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we bless you in the name of the Lord.

Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

1 “Since my youth they have often attacked me,”
let Israel say.

2 “Since my youth they have often attacked me,
but they have not defeated me.

3 The plowers plowed my back;
they made their furrows long.

4 The Lord is just;
he cut the ropes of the wicked.”

5 May all who hate Zion
be humiliated and turned back!

6 May they be like the grass on the rooftops
which withers before one can even pull it up,

7 which cannot fill the reaper’s hand,
or the lap of the one who gathers the grain!

8 Those who pass by will not say,
“May you experience the Lord’s blessing!
We pronounce a blessing on you in the name of the Lord.”