The Cords of the Wicked

A song of ascents.

¹ Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth—

let Israel now declare—

² many a time they have persecuted me from my youth,

but they have not prevailed against me.

³ The plowmen plowed over my back;

they made their furrows long.

⁴ The LORD is righteous;

He has cut me from the cords of the wicked.

⁵ May all who hate Zion

be turned back in shame.

⁶ May they be like grass on the rooftops,

which withers before it can grow,^*

⁷ unable to fill the hands of the reaper,

or the arms of the binder of sheaves.

⁸ May none who pass by say to them,

“The blessing of the LORD be on you;

we bless you in the name of the LORD.”