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(A song for worship.)

A Prayer for Protection

Since the time I was young,
    enemies have often attacked!
Let everyone in Israel say:
“Since the time I was young,
    enemies have often attacked!
But they have not defeated me,
though my back is like a field
    that has just been plowed.”

The Lord always does right,
    and he has set me free
from the ropes
    of those cruel people.
I pray that all who hate
    the city of Zion
will be made ashamed
    and forced to turn and run.
May they be like grass
    on the flat roof of a house,
grass that dries up
    as soon as it sprouts.
Don't let them be like wheat
    gathered in bundles.
And don't let anyone
who passes by say to them,
    “The Lord bless you!
I give you my blessing
    in the name of the Lord.”

Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

“They have greatly oppressed(A) me from my youth,”(B)
    let Israel say;(C)
“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory(D) over me.
Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
But the Lord is righteous;(E)
    he has cut me free(F) from the cords of the wicked.”(G)

May all who hate Zion(H)
    be turned back in shame.(I)
May they be like grass on the roof,(J)
    which withers(K) before it can grow;
a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,(L)
    nor one who gathers fill his arms.
May those who pass by not say to them,
    “The blessing of the Lord be on you;
    we bless you(M) in the name of the Lord.”