Psalms 129:3

1 Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth— let Israel now declare—

2 many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.

The plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.

4 The LORD is righteous; He has cut me from the cords of the wicked.

5 May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.
KJV
The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
WEB
The plowers plowed on my back. They made their furrows long.
ASV
The plowers plowed upon my back; They made long their furrows.
DARBY
The ploughers ploughed upon my back; they made long their furrows.
BLB
Upon my back, the plowmen were plowing; they have made long their furrows.
ÅB
Min rygg har plogmenn pløyd, de har gjort sine furer lange.
OTB
Plogmenn pløyde på min rygg;
De forlenget sine furer.”
B1930
Min rygg har plogmenn pløid, de har gjort sine furer lange.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 51:23

    I will place it in the hands of your tormentors, who told you: ‘Lie down, so we can walk over you,’ so that you made your back like the ground, like a street to be traversed.”

    Read in context
  • Psalms 141:7

    As when one plows and breaks up the soil, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

    Read in context