PSALMS 129

1 I say that my enemies have ◄afflicted/caused trouble for► me ever since I was young. Now I ask you, my fellow Israelis, to repeat those same words: 2 “Our enemies have afflicted us since our nation began, but they have not defeated us! 3 Our enemies struck us with whips that cut into our backs [MET] like a farmer uses a plow to cut deep furrows into the ground." 4 But Yahweh is righteous, and he has freed me from being a slave [MTY] of wicked people. 5 I wish/hope that all those who hate Jerusalem/Israel will be ashamed because of being defeated. 6 I hope/wish that they will be of no value, like grass that grows on the roofs of houses that dries up and does not grow tall; 7 as a result no one cuts it and puts it in bundles and carries it away. 8 People who pass by and see men harvesting grain usually greet them by saying to them, “We wish/hope that Yahweh will bless you!” But this will not happen to those who hate Israel. We, acting as Yahweh’s representatives, bless you Israelis.