< Psalms 129 >
1 A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth — oh let Israel say —
Often have they fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say.
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.
Often have they fought against me from my youth: but they could not prevail over me.
3 The ploughers ploughed upon my back; they made long their furrows.
The wicked have wrought upon my back: they have lengthened their iniquity.
4 Jehovah is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
The Lord who is just will cut the necks of sinners:
5 Let them be ashamed and turned backward, all that hate Zion;
Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Sion.
6 Let them be as the grass upon the house-tops, which withereth before it is plucked up,
Let them be as grass on the tops of houses: which withered before it be plucked up:
7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom;
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand: nor he that gathereth sheaves his bosom.
8 Neither do the passers-by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; we bless you in the name of Jehovah!
And they that have passed by have not said: The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.