A song of ascents.
129:1 “Since my youth they have often attacked me,”
let Israel say.
129:2 “Since my youth they have often attacked me,
but they have not defeated me.
129:3 The plowers plowed my back;
they made their furrows long.
129:4 The Lord is just;
he cut the ropes of the wicked.”
129:5 May all who hate Zion
be humiliated and turned back!
129:6 May they be like the grass on the rooftops
which withers before one can even pull it up,
129:7 which cannot fill the reaper’s hand,
or the lap of the one who gathers the grain!
129:8 Those who pass by will not say,
“May you experience the Lord’s blessing!
We pronounce a blessing on you in the name of the Lord.”
A song of ascents.
130:1 From the deep water
130:2 O Lord, listen to me!
Pay attention to
130:3 If you, O Lord, were to keep track of
O Lord, who could stand before you?
130:4 But
so that you might
130:5 I rely on
I rely on him with my whole being;
I wait for his assuring word.
130:6 I yearn for the Lord,
more than watchmen do for the morning,
yes, more than watchmen do for the morning.
130:7 O Israel, hope in the Lord,
for the Lord exhibits loyal love,
and is more than willing to deliver.
130:8 He will deliver
from all the consequences of their sins.
A song of ascents,
131:1 O Lord, my heart is not proud,
nor do I have a haughty look.
I do not have great aspirations,
or concern myself with things that are beyond me.
131:2 Indeed
like a young child carried by its mother;
I am content like the young child I carry.
131:3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
now and forevermore!
A song of ascents.
132:1 O Lord, for David’s sake remember
all his strenuous effort,
132:2 and how he made a vow to the Lord,
and swore an oath to the powerful ruler of Jacob.
132:3 He said,
or get into my bed.
132:4 I will not allow my eyes to sleep,
or my eyelids to slumber,
132:5 until I find a place for the Lord,
a fine dwelling place
132:6 Look, we heard about it
we found it in the territory of Jaar.
132:7 Let us go to his dwelling place!
Let us worship
132:8 Ascend, O Lord, to your resting place,
you and the ark of your strength!
132:9 May your priests be clothed with integrity!
May your loyal followers shout for joy!
132:10 For the sake of David, your servant,
do not reject your chosen king!
132:11 The Lord made a reliable promise to David;
he will not go back on his word.
He said,
132:12 If your sons keep my covenant
and the rules I teach them,
their sons will also sit on your throne forever.”
132:13 Certainly
he decided to make it his home.
132:14 He said,
I will live here, for I have chosen it.
132:15 I will abundantly supply what she needs;
I will give her poor all the food they need.
132:16 I will protect her priests,
and her godly people will shout exuberantly.
132:17 There I will make David strong;
I have determined that my chosen king’s dynasty will continue.
132:18 I will humiliate his enemies,
and his crown will shine.