Psalms 129

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

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

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

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

5 May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.

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

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

8 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.”

1 ¶ A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:

2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.

4 The LORD [is] righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

5 ¶ Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.

6 Let them be as the grass [upon] the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:

7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.

8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD [be] upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

1 A song in the higher chorus. They have often urged me on from my youth, so say Israel;

2 They have often urged me from my youth; but they have not overpowered me.

3 the ploughmen have ploughed on my back and drawn their furrows long.

4 The LORD that is righteous hath cut off the cords of the wicked.

5 Alas, that all they that love Zion should be put to shame, and return!

6 Oh that they should be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth before it be plucked up,

7 Of which the reaper filleth not his hand, nor the binder his arm full,

8 And they that pass by shall not say: The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.