Psalms 129

1 A song of ascents. “Often since my youth they have attacked me,” let Israel say.

Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say,

2 “Often since my youth they have attacked me, yet they have not defeated me.

Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed on my back; they made their furrows long.

The plowers plowed upon my back. They made long their furrows.

4 Yahweh is righteous; he has cut the ropes of the wicked.”

Jehovah is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked.

5 May they all be put to shame and turned back, those who hate Zion.

Let them be put to shame and turned backward, all those who hate Zion.

6 May they be like the grass on the housetops that withers before it grows up,

Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers before it grows up,

7 that cannot fill the reaper's hand or the chest of the one who binds bundles of grain together.

with which the reaper fills not his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.

8 May those who pass by not say, “May the blessing of Yahweh be on you; we bless you in the name of Yahweh.”

Neither do those who go by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you. We bless you in the name of Jehovah.