Psalmorum 129

1 Canticum graduum. Sæpe expugnaverunt me a iuventute mea, dicat nunc Israel.

A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth — oh let Israel say —

2 Sæpe expugnaverunt me a iuventute mea: etenim non potuerunt mihi.

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

3 Supra dorsum meum fabricaverunt peccatores: prolongaverunt iniquitatem suam.

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

4 Dominus iustus concidit cervices peccatorum:

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

5 confundantur et convertantur retrorsum omnes, qui oderunt Sion.

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

6 Fiant sicut fœnum tectorum: quod priusquam evellatur, exaruit:

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

7 De quo non implevit manum suam qui metit, et sinum suum qui manipulos colligit.

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

8 Et non dixerunt qui præteribant: Benedictio Domini super vos: benediximus vobis in nomine Domini.

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