Amahubo 129

1 Kanengi bangihluphile kusukela ebutsheni bami, katsho-ke uIsrayeli,

A Song of Degrees. Many a time have they warred against me from my youth, let Israel now say:

2 kanengi bangihluphile kusukela ebutsheni bami, kanti kabangehlulanga.

Many a time have they warred against me from my youth: and yet they prevailed not against me.

3 Abalimi balima emhlana wami, bayenza yaba mide imifolo yabo.

The sinners wrought upon my back: they prolonged their iniquity.

4 INkosi ilungile, iqumile intambo zababi.

The righteous Lord has cut asunder the necks of sinners.

5 Kabayangeke babuyiselwe emuva bonke abazonda iZiyoni.

Let all that hate Sion be put to shame and turned back.

6 Kababe njengotshani ephahleni, obubuna bungakakhuli,

Let them be as the grass of the house-tops, which withers before it is plucked up.

7 ovunayo angagcwalisi ngabo isandla sakhe, lalowo obopha izithungo isifuba sakhe.

Wherewith the reaper fills not his hand, nor he that makes up the sheaves, his bosom.

8 Labadlulayo bangatsho ukuthi: Isibusiso seNkosi kasibe phezu kwenu; siyalibusisa ebizweni leNkosi.

Neither do they that go by say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.