Psalm 129
Young's Literal Translation
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
1A Song of the Ascents. Often they distressed me from my youth, Pray, let Israel say:
2Often they distressed me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed over me.
3Over my back have ploughers ploughed, They have made long their furrows.
4Jehovah [is] righteous, He hath cut asunder cords of the wicked.
5Confounded and turn backward do all hating Zion.
6They are as grass of the roofs, That before it was drawn out withereth,
7That hath not filled the hand of a reaper, And the bosom of a binder of sheaves.
8And the passers by have not said, 'The blessing of Jehovah [is] on you, We blessed you in the Name of Jehovah!'
Young's Literal Translation — Public Domain. Where these translations come from.