Psalm 129

Psalm 129 – New International Version (NIV)

“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,” let Israel say;
“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.
Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.
But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”
May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.
May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow;
a reaper cannot fill his hands with it, 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 in the name of the Lord.”

A Song of degrees.

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, May Israel now say:
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: Yet they have not prevailed against me.
The plowers plowed upon my back: They made long their furrows.
The LORD is righteous: He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
Let them all be confounded and turned back That hate Zion.
Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, Which withereth afore it groweth up:
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
Neither do they which go by say, the blessing of the LORD be upon you: We bless you in the name of the LORD.