Psalms 129

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

A song of ascents. “Sore have they vexed me from youth” thus let Israel say

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

“Sore have they vexed me from youth, but they have not prevailed against me.

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

“The ploughers ploughed on my back, they made their furrows long.

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

But the Lord, who is righteous, has cut the cords of the wicked.”

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

Let all who are haters of Zion be put to shame and defeated.

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

May they be as the grass on the house-top, which withers before it shoots up;

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

which fills not the arms of the reaper, nor the lap of the binder of sheaves

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.”

whereof no one says as they pass, “The blessing of God be upon you.” In the name of the Lord we bless you.