Psalms 129

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

A song of ascents. “Sore have they vexed me from youth” thus let Israel say

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

“Sore have they vexed me from youth, but they have not prevailed against me.

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

“The ploughers ploughed on my back, they made their furrows long.

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

But the Lord, who is righteous, has cut the cords of the wicked.”

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

Let all who are haters of Zion be put to shame and defeated.

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

May they be as the grass on the house-top, which withers before it shoots up;

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

which fills not the arms of the reaper, nor the lap of the binder of 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.”

whereof no one says as they pass, “The blessing of God be upon you.” In the name of the Lord we bless you.