Psalms 129

1 Many a time [often, frequently] they have persecuted [afflicted, distressed] me from my [early] youth [the state of being young]— let [please, I pray] Israel [the descendants of Jacob] now declare [say, speak]— word study 2 many a time [often, frequently] they have persecuted [afflicted, distressed] me from my youth [from the time I was young, since my early days], but they have not [never] prevailed [been able, overcome] against me. word study 3 The plowmen [farmers, those who cultivate the land] plowed [scratched, engraved] over my back [the rounded part of my body, my vulnerabilities]; they made [prolonged, extended] their furrows [lines of turned-over soil, wounds] long [deep, lasting]. word study 4 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is righteous [just, having God’s nature]; He has cut [severed, cut asunder] me from the cords [ropes, chains] of the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin]. word study 5 May all [every one of them, everything that] who hate [feel intense dislike or hostility towards, to detest] Zion [the city of God, Jerusalem, the mountain of the Lord] be turned back [driven back, confounded, and turned backward] in shame [disappointment, humiliation, or guilt, be ashamed]. word study 6 May they be like grass [a type of plant, such as a leek] on the rooftops [the top of a house or building], which withers [to dry up, become ashamed] before it can grow [come to full maturity, be harvested], word study 7 unable [completely lacking, without the ability] to fill [to make full, to satisfy] the hands [palms, the inner part of the hand] of the reaper [harvester, cutter of grain], or [neither, nor] the arms [bosom, chest area] of the binder [one who gathers, ties together] of sheaves [bundles of grain, harvested crops]. word study 8 May none who pass by [goers, travelers, those crossing over] say to them, “The blessing [divine favor, gift from God] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] be on you [toward you, in your direction]; we bless [praise, honor] you in the name [identity, character] of the LORD [Yehovah].” word study