Psalms 129

1 A song of ascents. Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth— let Israel now declare—

A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth — oh let Israel say —

2 many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.

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

The ploughers ploughed upon my back; they made long their furrows.

4 The LORD is righteous; He has cut me from the cords of the wicked.

Jehovah is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

5 May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.

Let them be ashamed and turned backward, all that hate Zion;

6 May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow,

Let them be as the grass upon the house-tops, which withereth before it is plucked up,

7 unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.

Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom;

8 May none who pass by say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”

Neither do the passers-by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; we bless you in the name of Jehovah!