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 of degrees. They haue often times afflicted me from my youth (may Israel nowe say)

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

They haue often times afflicted me from my youth: but they could not preuaile against 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.”

The plowers plowed vpon my backe, and made long furrowes.

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

But the righteous Lord hath cut the cordes of the wicked.

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

They that hate Zion, shalbe all ashamed and turned backward.

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;

They shalbe as the grasse on the house tops, which withereth afore it commeth forth.

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

Whereof the mower filleth not his hand, neither the glainer his lap:

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.]

Neither they, which go by, say, The blessing of the Lord be vpon you, or, We blesse you in the Name of the Lord.