Psalm 129

Psalm 129

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me.
Let all Israel repeat this:2 From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me,
but they have never defeated me.3 My back is covered with cuts,
as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.4 But the LORD is good;
he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly.5 May all who hate Jerusalemt
be turned back in shameful defeat.6 May they be as useless as grass on a rooftop,
turning yellow when only half grown,7 ignored by the harvester,
despised by the binder.8 And may those who pass by
refuse to give them this blessing:
“The LORD bless you;
we bless you in the LORD’s name.”

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.”