1 A Song of the Ascents. <span class=|reftext|><a href=|#|><b>1</b></a> Often they have distressed me from my youth—now let Israel say—2 Often they have distressed me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.3 Upon my back, the plowmen were plowing; they have made long their furrows.4 YHWH the Righteous One, may He cut off the cords of the wicked!5 May they be put to shame and turned back, all those hating Zion!6 May they be like grass on the rooftops that has withered before it can grow,7 unable to fill the hand of one reaping, or the bosom of one binding sheaves.8 And neither let those passing by say, “The blessing of YHWH [be] upon you⁺; we bless you⁺ in the name of YHWH!”