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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let all be driven back with shame Who hate Zion!

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

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

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

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