1 {A Song of degrees.} Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth -- oh let Israel say --
2. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.
3. The ploughers ploughed upon my back; they made long their furrows.
4. Jehovah is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5. Let them be ashamed and turned backward, all that hate Zion;
6. Let them be as the grass upon the house-tops, which withereth before it is plucked up,
7. Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom;
8. Neither do the passers-by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; we bless you in the name of Jehovah!
