Psalm 129

1 Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth,

Song of Victory Over Zions EnemiesA Song of Ascents. Let Israel now say

2 Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me.3 The plowers plowed on my back; They made their furrows long.4 The Lord is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked.5 Let all those who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned back.6 Let them be as the grass on the housetops, Which withers before it grows up,7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor he who binds sheaves, his arms.8 Neither let those who pass by them 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.”