1A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:2Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.3The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.4The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.5Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.6Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:7Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.8Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.