Psalmorum 129

1 Canticum graduum. Sæpe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea, dicat nunc Israël;

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

2 sæpe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea: etenim non potuerunt mihi.

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

3 Supra dorsum meum fabricaverunt peccatores; prolongaverunt iniquitatem suam.

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

4 Dominus justus concidit cervices peccatorum.

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

5 Confundantur, et convertantur retrorsum omnes qui oderunt Sion.

Let all be driven back with shame Who hate Zion!

6 Fiant sicut fœnum tectorum, quod priusquam evellatur exaruit:

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

7 de quo non implevit manum suam qui metit, et sinum suum qui manipulos colligit.

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

8 Et non dixerunt qui præteribant: Benedictio Domini super vos. Benediximus vobis in nomine Domini.

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!”