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

“They have made it hard for me many times since I was young,” 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.

“They have made it hard for me many times since I was young. But they have not won over me.

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

Those who plow have plowed my back. And they have made their ditches long.”

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

The Lord is right and good. He has cut in two the ropes of the sinful.

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

May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned away.

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

Let them be like grass on the roof, which dries up before it grows.

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

No one can pick it and fill his hand. No one can gather it and fill his arms.

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!

And those who pass by do not say, “May the Lord be good to you. We pray that good will come to you in the name of the Lord.”