< 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. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up, let Israel now 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 up: yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.
The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.
4 The LORD is righteous; He has cut me from the cords of the wicked.
The LORD 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 they 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 housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
7 unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.
Wherewith the reaper 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 they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.