Psalms 129:1

A song of ascents. ²  “Since my youth they have often attacked me,” let Israel say.

A song of ascents. They have greatly oppressed me from my youth— let Israel say—

<<A Song of Ascents.>> "Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up," Let Israel now say,

<<A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.>> From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me––let Israel now say––

"They've kicked me around ever since I was young"--this is how Israel tells it--

<A Song of the going up.> Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young (let Israel now say);

"Often have they attacked me from my youth" —let Israel now say—

<<A Song of Ascents.>> "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth," Let Israel now say––

A song of ascents. ²  “Since my youth they have often attacked me,” let Israel say.

¹ sn Psalm 129. Israel affirms God’s justice and asks him to destroy the enemies of Zion.

² sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.