Psalms 129

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

A Song of Degrees. Many a time have they warred against me from my youth, let Israel now say:

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

Many a time have they warred against me from my youth: and yet they prevailed not against me.

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

The sinners wrought upon my back: they prolonged their iniquity.

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

The righteous Lord has cut asunder the necks of sinners.

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

Let all that hate Sion be put to shame and turned back.

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

Let them be as the grass of the housetops, which withers before it is plucked up.

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

Wherewith the reaper fills not his hand, nor he that makes up the 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 that go by say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.