Psalmorum 129

1 Canticum graduum. Saepe expugnaverunt me a iuventute mea, dicat nunc Israel.

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

2 Saepe expugnaverunt me a iuventute 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 iustus concidet 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 foenum 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 implebit 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 praeteribant: 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!”