Psalms 129

1 A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth — oh let Israel say —

“A psalm of the steps, or the goings up.” Much have they afflicted me from my youth, May Israel now say;

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

Much have they afflicted me from my youth, Yet have they not prevailed against me.

3 The ploughers ploughed upon my back; they made long their furrows.

The ploughers ploughed up my back; They made long their furrows;

4 Jehovah is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

But the LORD was righteous; He cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

5 Let them be ashamed and turned backward, all that hate Zion;

Let all be driven back with shame Who hate Zion!

6 Let them be as the grass upon the house-tops, which withereth before it is plucked up,

Let them be as grass upon the house-tops, Which withereth before one pulleth it up;

7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom;

With which the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth 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 who pass by do not say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!”