A Song of Ascents.

¹ MANY A time and much have they afflicted me from my youth up–let Israel now say–

² Many a time and much have they afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.

³ The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.

⁴ The Lord is [uncompromisingly] righteous; He has cut asunder the thick cords by which the wicked [enslaved us].

⁵ Let them all be put to shame and turned backward who hate Zion.

⁶ Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers before it grows up,

⁷ With which the mower fills not his hand, nor the binder of sheaves his bosom–

⁸ While those who go by do not say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord!