Psalms 129

1 A Canticle in steps. They have often fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say:

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:

2 they have often fought against me from my youth, yet they could not prevail over me.

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

3 The sinners have made fabrications behind my back. They have prolonged their iniquity.

The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.

4 The just Lord will cut the necks of sinners.

The LORD is righteous: he has cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

5 Let all those who hate Zion be confounded and turned backwards.

Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.

6 Let them be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can be pulled up:

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

7 with it, he who reaps does not fill his hand and he who gathers sheaves does not fill his bosom.

Wherewith the mower fills not his hand; nor he that binds sheaves his bosom.

8 And those who were passing by have not said to them: “The blessing of the Lord be upon you. We have blessed 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.