Psalm 129 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 129:3, 129:4
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 129
Affliction has not prevailed
Verse 129:1 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[129:1] A song of the ascents.
Much have they afflicted me from my youth—
let Israel now say—
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[128:1] A song of the ascents.
Many times they fought against me from my youth—
let Israel now say—
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew much affliction and Greek repeated warfare differ in emphasis; Israel is explicitly called to speak. Reception — Augustine, exposition on this psalm, sections two–three, hears the enduring voice of the Church and traces its affliction through biblical history. This Christian corporate reading is attributed; Israel remains named in both base texts. [AUG-PS129-ROOT]
Verse 129:2 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[129:2] much have they afflicted me from my youth,
yet they have not prevailed over me.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[128:2] many times they fought against me from my youth,
and indeed they did not prevail over me.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The repeated opening and failure of the adversaries correspond; the Hebrew concessive nuance is retained.
Verse 129:3 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[129:3] On my back plowers plowed;
they lengthened their furrows.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[128:3] On my back sinners worked;
they prolonged their lawlessness.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew the plowers and furrows make a bodily agricultural image; Greek names sinners and extended lawlessness. Greek tektaino can mean work or devise; no furrows are imported into its base line. The unusual displayed Hebrew furrow form remains for lexical review.
Verse 129:4 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[129:4] YHWH is righteous;
He cut the cords of the wicked.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[128:4] The righteous Lord cut apart
the necks of sinners.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Greek necks radically changes Hebrew cords. The bodily violence of Greek is retained, and Hebrew is not altered into the same image. Reception — Augustine, section seven, interprets the targeted necks as an image of proud sinners who refuse to acknowledge wrongdoing. His moral reading does not remove the Greek bodily image. [AUG-PS129-ROOT]
Verse 129:5 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[129:5] May all who hate Zion
be ashamed and turn backward.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[128:5] May all who hate Zion
be put to shame and turn backward.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The same wish for the retreat of Zion’s enemies is expressed.
Verse 129:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[129:6] May they be like grass on roofs,
which dries up before it is pulled out,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[128:6] May they become like grass on roofs,
which dried up before it was pulled out,
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both compare the adversaries to short-lived rooftop grass. Hebrew shalaf is provisionally being pulled out; growing up as an alternative construal requires review.
Verse 129:7 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[129:7] with which no reaper has filled his hand,
nor a sheaf-binder his lap.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[128:7] with which no reaper has filled his hand,
nor the one gathering sheaves his bosom,
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The same failure to yield a harvest has Hebrew the binder and Greek the gatherer; lap/bosom renders the carrying fold.
Verse 129:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[129:8] And passersby have not said,
“YHWH’s blessing be upon you;
we bless you in YHWH’s name.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[128:8] And passersby have not said,
“The Lord’s blessing be upon you;
we have blessed you in the Lord’s name.”
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both withhold the customary blessing from this unproductive harvest image. The final blessing is kept within the saying governed by have not said; a liturgical exchange is an interpretive alternative.