Psalms 129

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

A song of ascents. Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth— let Israel now declare—

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

many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.

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

The plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.

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

The LORD is righteous; He has cut me from the cords of the wicked.

5 Let all be driven back with shame Who hate Zion!

May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.

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

May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow,

7 With which the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom!

unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.

8 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!”

May none who pass by say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”