Psalms 129
A psalm of survival against long affliction and hatred.
Psalm 129 opens with Israel recalling a history of suffering, "many a time have they afflicted me from my youth," yet insisting the enemy "have not prevailed." It offers a harder-edged companion to the blessing pronounced in Psalms 128, this time framed as survival rather than prosperity.
A song of ascents. Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth— let Israel now declare—
many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.
The plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.
The LORD is righteous; He has cut me from the cords of the wicked.
May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.
May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow,
unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.
May none who pass by say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”