Psalms 129

1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth — oh let Israel say —

1A gradual canticle. Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord:

1 Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young (let Israel now say);

2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.

2Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

2Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young, but my troubles have not overcome me.

3 The ploughers ploughed upon my back; they made long their furrows.

3If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it.

3The ploughmen were ploughing on my back; long were the wounds they made.

4 Jehovah is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

4For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word:

4The Lord is true: the cords of the evil-doers are broken in two.

5 Let them be ashamed and turned backward, all that hate Zion;

5my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

5Let all the haters of Zion be shamed and turned back.

6 Let them be as the grass upon the house-tops, which withereth before it is plucked up,

6From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

6Let them be like the grass on the house-tops, which is dry before it comes to full growth.

7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom;

7Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.

7He who gets in the grain has no use for it; and they do not make bands of it for the grain-stems.

8 Neither do the passers-by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; we bless you in the name of Jehovah!

8And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

8And those who go by do not say, The blessing of the Lord be on you; we give you blessing in the name of the Lord.