A Song of Degrees

1 "Often have they afflicted me from my youths" Say now let Israel:

2 "Often have they afflicted me from my youth; "Yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 "Upon my back ploughed have the ploughers; "They have made long their furrows.

4 "Jehovah, who is righteous, hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked."

5 Confounded and turned backward shall be all who hate Zion.

6 They shall be as the grass of the housetops, Which before it cometh forth is withered:

7 With which the mower hath not filled his hand, Nor his bosom he who gathereth handfuls.

8 Nor have they said who pass by, "The blessing of Jehovah be upon you, "We bless you in the name of Jehovah."