Psalms 129

1 [I say that] my enemies have (afflicted/caused trouble for) me ever since I was young. [Now I ask you, my fellow] Israelis, to repeat those same words:

A song for pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. Many enemies have attacked from the time I was young. Let everyone in Israel say:

2 “Our enemies have afflicted us since our nation began, but they have not defeated us!

Many enemies have attacked from the time I was young, but they never defeated me.

3 [Our enemies struck us with whips] that cut into our backs [MET] like a [farmer uses a] plow to cut deep furrows into the ground.”

They beat me on my back, leaving long furrows as if it had been ploughed by a farmer.

4 [But] Yahweh is righteous, and he has freed [me] from being a slave [MTY] of wicked [people].

But the Lord does what is right: he has cut me free from the ropes of the wicked.

5 I wish/hope that all those who hate Jerusalem/Israel will be ashamed because of being defeated.

May everyone who hates Zion be driven back in humiliating defeat.

6 I hope/wish that they will be [of no value], like grass that grows on the roofs of houses that dries up and does not grow tall;

May they be like grass that grows on a roof that withers before it can be harvested,

7 [as a result] no one [cuts it and] puts it in bundles and carries it away.

There's not enough even for a reaper to hold, not enough even for the binder to bind.

8 People who pass by [and see men harvesting grain usually greet them by saying to them], “We wish/hope that Yahweh will bless you!” But this will not happen [to those who hate Israel]. We, acting as Yahweh’s representatives, bless you [Israelis.]

May passers-by not say to them, “The blessing of the Lord be on you; we bless you in the name of the Lord.”