1 A Song of the Ascents. Often they distressed me from my youth, Pray, let Israel say:

2 O ften they distressed me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed over me.

3 O ver my back have ploughers ploughed, They have made long their furrows.

4 J ehovah righteous, He hath cut asunder cords of the wicked.

5 C onfounded and turn backward do all hating Zion.

6 T hey are as grass of the roofs, That before it was drawn out withereth,

7 T hat hath not filled the hand of a reaper, And the bosom of a binder of sheaves.

8 A nd the passers by have not said, `The blessing of Jehovah on you, We blessed you in the Name of Jehovah!'