Psalms 129

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

“A song of the degrees.” Many a time have they assailed me from my youth, so should Israel say;

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

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

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

Upon my back have ploughmen ploughed; they have drawn long their furrows:

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

[Yet] 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.

May all be put to shame and turned backward that hate Zion;

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

May they become like the grass of the roofs, which withereth before it is pulled 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 his arm he that bindeth sheaves.

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

Nor do they who pass by say, The blessing of the Lord be with you: we bless you in the name of the Lord.