MANY a time they have afflicted me from my youth, " let Israel now say -

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

3 The plowers plowed on my back; they made their furrows long. "

4 The LORD is righteous ; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked.

5 Let all those who hate Zion be put put to shame and turned back.

6 Let them be as the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grow up,

7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his arms.

8 Neither let those who pass by them say, " The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we bless you in the name of the LORD !" PSALM 129