Psalm 129:2
New International Version
“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.

New Living Translation
From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but they have never defeated me.

English Standard Version
“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.

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

King James Bible
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

New King James Version
“Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me.

New American Standard Bible
“Many times they have attacked me from my youth up; Yet they have not prevailed against me.

NASB 1995
“Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up; Yet they have not prevailed against me.

NASB 1977
“Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up; Yet they have not prevailed against me.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Many times they have assailed me from my youth up; Yet they have not prevailed against me.

Amplified Bible
“Many times they have persecuted me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed against me.

Christian Standard Bible
since my youth they have often attacked me, but they have not prevailed against me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since my youth they have often attacked me, but they have not prevailed against me.

American Standard Version
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up: Yet they have not prevailed against me.

Contemporary English Version
"Since the time I was young, enemies have often attacked! But they have not defeated me,

English Revised Version
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up: yet they have not prevailed against me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"From the time I was young, people have attacked me, but they have never overpowered me.

Good News Translation
"Ever since I was young, my enemies have persecuted me cruelly, but they have not overcome me.

International Standard Version
"Since my youth they have often persecuted me, yet they haven't defeated me.

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

NET Bible
"Since my youth they have often attacked me, but they have not defeated me.

New Heart English Bible
many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.

Webster's Bible Translation
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

World English Bible
many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Often they distressed me from my youth, "" Yet they have not prevailed over me.

Young's Literal Translation
Often they distressed me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed over me.

Smith's Literal Translation
Much they pressed me from my youth: also they shall not prevail against me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Often have they fought against me from my youth: but they could not prevail over me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
they have often fought against me from my youth, yet they could not prevail over me.

New American Bible
Viciously have they attacked me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.

New Revised Standard Version
“often have they attacked me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
My oppressors have been many from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
My torturers have increased from my youth and they have not prevailed over my power.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Much have they afflicted me from my youth up; But they have not prevailed against me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Many a time have they warred against me from my youth: and yet they prevailed not against me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cords of the Wicked
1A song of ascents. Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth—let Israel now declare— 2many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me. 3The plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.…

Cross References
Exodus 1:12
But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Isaiah 50:7
Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.

2 Timothy 3:11
my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

2 Corinthians 1:10
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us,

Acts 14:22
strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:19
They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

yet they have

Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 118:13
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.

Psalm 125:1
A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

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Afflicted Distressed Gained Great Greatly Often Oppressed Overcome Persecuted Prevailed Sorely Time Times Troubles Victory Young Youth
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Afflicted Distressed Gained Great Greatly Often Oppressed Overcome Persecuted Prevailed Sorely Time Times Troubles Victory Young Youth
Psalm 129
1. An exhortation to praise God for saving Israel in their great afflictions
5. The haters of the church are cursed














many times they have persecuted me from my youth
This phrase begins with the acknowledgment of persistent adversity. The Hebrew root for "many times" is "רַב" (rav), which conveys a sense of abundance or multitude. This suggests that the psalmist has faced repeated and numerous challenges. Historically, this can be seen as a reflection of Israel's history, where the nation faced continuous oppression from surrounding nations. The phrase "they have persecuted me" uses the Hebrew root "צָרַר" (tsarar), meaning to bind, distress, or oppress. This word choice emphasizes the intensity and personal nature of the affliction. The term "from my youth" indicates that these trials have been a long-standing part of the psalmist's life, possibly alluding to the early history of Israel, from the time of the patriarchs through the Egyptian bondage.

but they have not prevailed against me
The word "but" introduces a contrast, highlighting the resilience and enduring nature of the psalmist's faith and the nation of Israel. The Hebrew root for "prevailed" is "יָכֹל" (yakol), which means to be able, to overcome, or to endure. This suggests that despite the numerous attempts to oppress, the adversaries have not succeeded in their ultimate goal. This resilience can be seen as a testament to God's faithfulness and protection over His people. The historical context here is significant, as it reflects the survival and continuity of Israel despite numerous attempts by various empires to destroy it. This phrase serves as an encouragement to believers, reminding them of God's sovereignty and the assurance that, despite trials, His purposes will not be thwarted.

Verse 2. - Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth. The repetition emphasizes the fact of Israel's long and bitter suffering. Yet they have not prevailed against me. Israel has not been given as a prey to the heathen's teeth (Psalm 124:6). She is still a nation, unsubdued; she holds her own; the struggle is not ended.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
many a time
רַ֭בַּת (rab·baṯ)
Adjective - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

they have persecuted me
צְרָר֣וּנִי (ṣə·rā·rū·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular
Strong's 6887: To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped

from my youth,
מִנְּעוּרָ֑י (min·nə·‘ū·rāy)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5271: Youth, the state, the persons

but
גַּ֝ם (gam)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

they have not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

prevailed
יָ֥כְלוּ (yā·ḵə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

against me.
לִֽי׃ (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Poetry: Psalm 129:2 Many times they have afflicted me (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 129:1
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