Psalms 129

1 The song of greces. Israel seie now; Ofte thei fouyten ayens me fro my yongth.

“A psalm of the steps, or the goings up.” Much have they afflicted me from my youth, May Israel now say;

2 Ofte thei fouyten ayens me fro my yongthe; and sotheli thei miyten not to me.

Much have they afflicted me from my youth, Yet have they not prevailed against me.

3 Synneris forgeden on my bak; thei maden long her wickidnesse.

The ploughers ploughed up my back; They made long their furrows;

4 The `iust Lord schal beete the nollis of synneris;

But the LORD was righteous; He cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

5 alle that haten Sion be schent, and turned abak.

Let all be driven back with shame Who hate Zion!

6 Be thei maad as the hey of hous coppis; that driede vp, bifore that it be drawun vp.

Let them be as grass upon the house-tops, Which withereth before one pulleth it up;

7 Of which hei he that schal repe, schal not fille his hond; and he that schal gadere hondfullis, schal not fille his bosum.

With which the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom!

8 And thei that passiden forth seiden not, The blessing of the Lord be on you; we blessiden you in the name of the Lord.

And they who pass by do not say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!”