Psalms 129

A prayer against cruel enemies

1Since I was young, my enemies have often attacked me. Israel's people now answer:

2‘They have often attacked me since I was young, but they have not won against me.

3They hit my back with whips. They made long marks on it, like farmers who are ploughing their fields.

4But the Lord is righteous. He has made me free from those cruel people.’

5I pray that everyone who hates Zion's people will be ashamed. Then they will have to turn around and go back.

6May they be useless, like grass that grows on a roof. It dies before it can grow tall!

7A gardener cannot use it. A farmer will not keep it.

8People that go past will not say to them, ‘We will ask the Lord to bless you!’ Nobody will say to those who hate Zion's people, ‘Receive our blessing in the name of the Lord!’