Psalms 129

Often they have afflicted me

“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,” let Israel say; ²“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me. ³Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.a

⁴But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.” ⁵May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame. ⁶May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow; ⁷a reaper cannot fill his hands with it, nor one who gathers fill his arms.

⁸May 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.”