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 times they have 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 times they have 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 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.

The LORD is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked.

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

Let them be disappointed and turned backward, all those who hate Zion.

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

Let them be as the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,

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

with which the reaper doesn’t fill his hand, nor he who binds 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 those who go by say, “The blessing of the LORD be on you. We bless you in the LORD’s name.”