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 Yahweh.(G)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 129:6 Or it can be pulled out

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”