1 M any a time and much have they afflicted me from my youth up—let Israel now say—

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

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

4 T he Lord is righteous; He has cut asunder the thick cords by which the wicked.

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

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

7 W ith which the mower fills not his hand, nor the binder of sheaves his bosom—

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