This song has a special place in my heart. Not only do I like the half-time shuffle groove, not only do I like the shift to straight-ahead jazz and back again, not only do I like the Cab Calloway-inspired shout in the coda, not only do I like the chord changes but I feel like it was written for me. For me, personally, this song marks the beginning of steps to take my songwriting to the next level. I have struggled with this gifting since “my youth,” as the psalm says. Yet God has seen me through the struggle and brought me to victory. Glory to His Name! He’ll do the same for you! Declare it with me!
Lyrics
Psalm 129 Many a Time
Verse 1
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth,
But they have not prevailed over me! (May Israel now say:)
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth
But they have not prevailed over me!
The wicked plowing on my back, they made long their furrows (The Lord is righteous!) He has freed me from the chains of the wicked!
Verse 2
Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion,
Let them be as grass that grows on rooftops! (That withers away!)
Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion,
Let them be as grass that grows on rooftops!
What good does it do anyone cause there's nothing for harvest (The wicked wither!) While the saints are growing strong in the Lord!
Verse 3
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth’
But they have not prevailed against me! (May Israel now say:) Neither do they that pass on by say a blessing:
I bless you in the Name of the Lord!
Bridge
3x The blessing of the Lord, Be upon you, We bless you in the Name of the Lord!
Ending Verse
Year after year my dear God keeps me standing
As long as I’ve been fighting he’s been with me,
Whatever they steal He restores, for their cursing he gives blessings, With enemies watching He’s serving a banquet up for me
© 2023 Jerry Cordato