Add parallel Print Page Options

Prayer for the Overthrow of Zion’s Enemies.

A Song of [a]Ascents.

129 “Many times they have persecuted me (Israel) from my youth,”
Let Israel now say,

“Many times they have persecuted me from my youth,
Yet they have not prevailed against me.

“The [enemies, like] plowers plowed on my back;
They made their furrows [of suffering] long [in Israel].”

The Lord is righteous;
He has cut in two the [thick] cords of the wicked [which enslaved the people of Israel].


May all who hate Zion
Be put to shame and turned backward [in defeat].

Let them be like the grass on the housetops,
Which withers before it grows up,

With which the reaper does not fill his hand,
Nor the binder of sheaves his arms,

Nor do those who pass by say,
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you;
We bless you in the name of the Lord.”

Hope in the Lord’s Forgiving Love.

A Song of [b]Ascents.

130 Out of the [c]depths [of distress] I have cried to You, O Lord.

Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.

If You, Lord, should keep an account of our sins and treat us accordingly,
O Lord, who could stand [before you in judgment and claim innocence]?(A)

But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared and worshiped [with submissive wonder].(B)


I wait [patiently] for the Lord, my soul [expectantly] waits,
And in His word do I hope.

My soul waits for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
More than the watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is lovingkindness,
And with Him is abundant redemption.

And He will redeem Israel
From all his sins.

Childlike Trust in the Lord.

A Song of [d]Ascents. Of David.

131 Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.

Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent].

O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and forever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 129:1 See Psalm 120 title note.
  2. Psalm 130:1 See Psalm 120 title note.
  3. Psalm 130:1 The Psalmist probably used “depths” figuratively, but the ancient rabbis understood this as an admonition to pray from a low place (in elevation) as a matter of humility.
  4. Psalm 131:1 See Psalm 120 title note.

Bible Gateway Recommends