✧A song of ascents. Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth— let Israel now declare— ✧2many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me. ✧3The plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long. ✧4The LORD is righteous; He has cut me from the cords of the wicked. ✧5May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame. ✧6May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow, ✧7unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves. ✧8May none who pass by say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”