Christian prayer
Psalm 129
Psalm 129 from the Bible, with the original text and its meaning.
- 8 verses
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Bible
Show
- 1
שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת רַ֭בַּת צְרָר֣וּנִי מִנְּעוּרַ֑י יֹֽאמַר־נָ֝א יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
- 2
רַ֭בַּת צְרָר֣וּנִי מִנְּעוּרָ֑י גַּ֝ם לֹא־יָ֥כְלוּ לִֽי׃
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
- 3
עַל־גַּ֭בִּי חָרְשׁ֣וּ חֹרְשִׁ֑ים הֶ֝אֱרִ֗יכוּ למענותם׃
The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
- 4
יְהוָ֥ה צַדִּ֑יק קִ֝צֵּ֗ץ עֲב֣וֹת רְשָׁעִֽים׃
The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
- 5
יֵ֭בֹשׁוּ וְיִסֹּ֣גוּ אָח֑וֹר כֹּ֝֗ל שֹׂנְאֵ֥י צִיּֽוֹן׃
Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.
- 6
יִ֭הְיוּ כַּחֲצִ֣יר גַּגּ֑וֹת שֶׁקַּדְמַ֖ת שָׁלַ֣ף יָבֵֽשׁ׃
Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
- 7
שֶׁלֹּ֤א מִלֵּ֖א כַפּ֥וֹ קוֹצֵ֗ר וְחִצְנ֥וֹ מְעַמֵּֽר׃
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
- 8
וְלֹ֤א אָֽמְר֨וּ ׀ הָעֹבְרִ֗ים בִּרְכַּֽת־יְהוָ֥ה אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם בֵּרַ֥כְנוּ אֶ֝תְכֶ֗ם בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהוָֽה׃
Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
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When it is prayed
Many Christians recite Psalm 129 during personal prayer or as part of a regular cycle of praying the psalms. It can give words to prayer in times of hostility or hardship, recalling suffering while looking to God for justice.
Where it comes from
Psalm 129 comes from the Bible’s Book of Psalms and belongs to the collection known as the Songs of Ascents. These songs are traditionally associated with pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The psalm recalls Israel’s long experience of oppression; its author is not named.
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Related prayers and texts
- ChristianPsalm 91A biblical psalm of trust in God’s shelter and protection amid danger.
- ChristianPsalm 23A biblical psalm of trust in God, pictured as a caring shepherd and generous host.
- ChristianPsalm 121A biblical psalm of trust in God as the keeper of those who look to him for help.
- ChristianPsalm 35A biblical psalm asking God for protection, justice and deliverance from enemies.
Questions about Psalm 129
How many verses are in Psalm 129?
Psalm 129 has 8 verses.
What does Psalm 129 mean?
It recalls Israel’s suffering and survival, affirming that its oppressors have not prevailed. It also asks that those who hate Zion be put to shame, using vivid images of withering grass.
When do Christians pray Psalm 129?
Many Christians pray it in regular psalm readings or during personal devotion. Its themes can be especially relevant when praying about oppression, endurance, and justice.
Who wrote Psalm 129, and in what language?
Its author is not named. The psalm was composed in Hebrew and is received by Christians as part of the Old Testament.
How long does it take to recite?
Psalm 129 can be recited in under a minute, though a slower, reflective reading may take longer.
