Psalms 129

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

MANY a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:

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

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: 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.”

The Lord is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

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

Let them all be confounded and turned back that 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 withereth afore it groweth up:

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

Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth 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 they which go by say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we bless you in the name of the Lord.