Amahubo 129

1 Kanengi bangihluphile kusukela ebutsheni bami, katsho-ke uIsrayeli,

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

2 kanengi bangihluphile kusukela ebutsheni bami, kanti kabangehlulanga.

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

3 Abalimi balima emhlana wami, bayenza yaba mide imifolo yabo.

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

4 INkosi ilungile, iqumile intambo zababi.

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

5 Kabayangeke babuyiselwe emuva bonke abazonda iZiyoni.

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

6 Kababe njengotshani ephahleni, obubuna bungakakhuli,

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

7 ovunayo angagcwalisi ngabo isandla sakhe, lalowo obopha izithungo isifuba sakhe.

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

8 Labadlulayo bangatsho ukuthi: Isibusiso seNkosi kasibe phezu kwenu; siyalibusisa ebizweni leNkosi.

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