Add parallel Print Page Options

Victory Over the Enemies of Zion

A song of ascents.[a]

129 “Too often[b] they have attacked me from my youth.”
Let Israel say,
“Too often[c] they have attacked me from my youth,
yet they have not prevailed against me.
On my back plowmen have plowed.
They have made their furrows[d] long.”
Yahweh is righteous.
He has cut the ropes[e] of the wicked.
Let all be put to shame and repulsed
who hate Zion.
Let them be like grass on the housetops,
that withers before it grows up,
with which a reaper cannot fill his hand,
nor the binder of sheaves his arms,[f]
so that passersby do not say,
“The blessing of Yahweh be upon you.
We bless you in the name of Yahweh.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 129:1 The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm
  2. Psalm 129:1 Or “Greatly”
  3. Psalm 129:2 Or “Greatly”
  4. Psalm 129:3 According to the reading tradition (Qere)
  5. Psalm 129:4 That is, the yoke and tackle on a beast of burden
  6. Psalm 129:7 Literally “bosom”

Prayer for the Overthrow of Zion’s Enemies.

A Song of Ascents.

129 [a]Many times they have (A)attacked me from my (B)youth up,”
(C)Let Israel say,
[b]Many times they have attacked me from my youth up;
Yet they have (D)not prevailed against me.
The plowers plowed upon my back;
They lengthened their furrows.”
The Lord (E)is righteous;
He has cut up the (F)ropes of the wicked.

May all who (G)hate Zion
Be (H)put to shame and turned backward;
May they be like (I)grass upon the housetops,
Which withers before it [c]grows up;
With which the harvester does not fill his [d]hand,
Or the binder of sheaves his [e](J)arms;
Nor do those who pass by say,
“The (K)blessing of the Lord be upon you;
We bless you in the name of the Lord.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 129:1 Lit Much
  2. Psalm 129:2 Lit Much
  3. Psalm 129:6 Lit draws out
  4. Psalm 129:7 Lit palm
  5. Psalm 129:7 Lit the fold of his robe