Psalm 129
Bible in Basic English
Chapter overview
Psalm 129 recalls repeated oppression from Israel's youth without granting it the final word. Deep wounds remain visible, but binding cords are cut and exploiters become as temporary as shallow rooftop grass.
OppressionSurvivalJusticeFreedom
1Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young (let Israel now say);
2Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young, but my troubles have not overcome me.
3The ploughmen were ploughing on my back; long were the wounds they made.
4The Lord is true: the cords of the evil-doers are broken in two.
5Let all the haters of Zion be shamed and turned back.
6Let them be like the grass on the house-tops, which is dry before it comes to full growth.
7He who gets in the grain has no use for it; and they do not make bands of it for the grain-stems.
8And those who go by do not say, The blessing of the Lord be on you; we give you blessing in the name of the Lord.
Bible in Basic English — Public Domain. Where these translations come from.