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:

1A Song of the Ascents. Often they distressed me from my youth, Pray, let Israel 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.

2Often they distressed me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed over 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.

3Over my back have ploughers ploughed, They have made long their furrows.

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:

4Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> righteous, He hath cut asunder cords of the wicked.

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

5my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

5Confounded and turn backward do all hating Zion.

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.

6They are as grass of the roofs, That before it was drawn out withereth,

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.

7That hath not filled the hand of a reaper, And the bosom of a binder of sheaves.

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 the passers by have not said, `The blessing of Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> on you, We blessed you in the Name of Jehovah!'