1 M any times they have 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 times they have 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 on my back. They made their furrows long.

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

4 Y ahweh is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked.

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

5 L et them be disappointed and turned backward, all those who hate Zion.

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

6 L et them be as the grass on 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 reaper doesn’t fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.

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

8 N either do those who go by say, “The blessing of Yahweh be on you. We bless you in Yahweh’s name.”

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.”