Psalms 129

1 A song for pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. Many enemies have attacked from the time I was young. Let everyone in Israel say:

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

2 Many enemies have attacked from the time I was young, but they never defeated me.

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

3 They beat me on my back, leaving long furrows as if it had been ploughed by a farmer.

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

4 But the Lord does what is right: he has cut me free from the ropes of the wicked.

The just Lord will cut the necks of sinners.

5 May everyone who hates Zion be driven back in humiliating defeat.

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

6 May they be like grass that grows on a roof that withers before it can be harvested,

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

7 There's not enough even for a reaper to hold, not enough even for the binder to bind.

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

8 May passers-by not say to them, “The blessing of the Lord be on you; we bless you in the name of the Lord.”

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.”