1 Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say,

2 Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back. They made long their furrows.

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

5 Let them be put to shame and turned backward, all those who hate Zion.

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

7 with which the reaper fills not his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.

8 Neither do those who go by say, The blessing of LORD be upon you. We bless you in the name of LORD.