Psalmorum 129

1 canticum graduum saepe expugnaverunt me a iuventute mea dicat nunc Israhel

“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 fabricabantur 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 faenum 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 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!”