1 “ Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth,” Let Israel now say—

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth—oh let Israel say—

2 “ Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me.

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 T he plowers plowed on my back; They made their furrows long.”

The ploughers ploughed upon my back; they made long their furrows.

4 T he Lord is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked.

Jehovah is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

5 L et all those who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned back.

Let them be ashamed and turned backward, all that hate Zion;

6 L et them be as the grass on the housetops, Which withers before it grows up,

Let them be as the grass upon the house-tops, which withereth before it is plucked up,

7 W ith which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor he who binds sheaves, his arms.

Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom;

8 N either let those who pass by them say, “The blessing of the Lord be upon you; We bless you in the name of the Lord!”

Neither do the passers-by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; we bless you in the name of Jehovah!