Psalm 129

1    ‘Many a time have they fought against me from my youth,’  ♦

may Israel now say;

2    ‘Many a time have they fought against me from my youth,  ♦

but they have not prevailed against me.’

3    The ploughers ploughed upon my back  ♦

and made their furrows long.

4    But the righteous Lord  ♦

has cut the cords of the wicked in pieces.

5    Let them be put to shame and turned backwards,  ♦

as many as are enemies of Zion.

6    Let them be like grass upon the housetops,  ♦

which withers before it can grow,

7    So that no reaper can fill his hand,  ♦

nor a binder of sheaves his bosom;

8    And none who go by may say,

    ‘The blessing of the Lord be upon you.  ♦

We bless you in the name of the Lord.’

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.