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