Psalm 129

Protection of the Oppressed

A song of ascents.

Since my youth they have often attacked me—
let Israel say—
since my youth they have often attacked me,
but they have not prevailed against me.(A)
Plowmen plowed over my back;
they made their furrows long.(B)
The Lord is righteous;
he has cut the ropes of the wicked.(C)

Let all who hate Zion
be driven back in disgrace.(D)
Let them be like grass on the rooftops,
which withers before it grows up[a](E)
and can’t even fill the hands of the reaper
or the arms of the one who binds sheaves.(F)
Then none who pass by will say,
“May the Lord’s blessing be on you.
We bless you in the name of the Lord.”(G)

Footnotes

  1. 129:6 Or it can be pulled out

Prayer for the Overthrow of Zion’s Enemies.

A Song of Ascents.

129 [a]Many times they have [b](A)persecuted me from my (B)youth up,”
(C)Let Israel now say,
[c]Many times they have [d]persecuted 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 in two the (F)cords of the wicked.

May all who (G)hate Zion
Be (H)put to shame and turned backward;
Let them be like (I)grass upon the housetops,
Which withers before it [e]grows up;
With which the reaper does not fill his [f]hand,
Or the binder of sheaves his (J)bosom;
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 129:1 Lit showed hostility toward
  3. Psalm 129:2 Lit Much
  4. Psalm 129:2 Lit showed hostility toward
  5. Psalm 129:6 Lit draws out
  6. Psalm 129:7 Lit palm

Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

“They have greatly oppressed(A) me from my youth,”(B)
    let Israel say;(C)
“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory(D) over me.
Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
But the Lord is righteous;(E)
    he has cut me free(F) from the cords of the wicked.”(G)

May all who hate Zion(H)
    be turned back in shame.(I)
May they be like grass on the roof,(J)
    which withers(K) before it can grow;
a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,(L)
    nor one who gathers fill his arms.
May those who pass by not say to them,
    “The blessing of the Lord be on you;
    we bless you(M) in the name of the Lord.”