Amahubo 129

1 Ingoma yemiqanso. Sebengihluphe kakhulu kusukela ebutsheni bami katsho njalo u-Israyeli,

A song of ascents. Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth— let Israel now declare—

2 sebengihluphe kakhulu kusukela ebutsheni bami, kodwa kabangehlulanga.

many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.

3 Abalimi bawulimile umhlane wami benza imifolo emide.

The plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.

4 Kodwa uThixo ulungile; ungikhulule ezintanjeni zababi.

The LORD is righteous; He has cut me from the cords of the wicked.

5 Akuthi bonke abayizondayo iZiyoni babuyiselwe emuva beyangekile.

May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.

6 Sengathi bangaba njengotshani obukhula ephahleni obubuna bungakakhuli;

May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow,

7 umvuni angeke agcwalisa isandla sakhe ngabo, loba lowo obuthayo agcwalise izingalo zakhe.

unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.

8 Sengathi labo abadlulayo bangabokuthi, “Izibusiso zikaThixo mazibe kuwe; siyakubusisa ngegama likaThixo.”

May none who pass by say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”