1 A Song of Degrees. Many a time have they warred against me from my youth, let Israel now say:

2 Many a time have they warred against me from my youth: and yet they prevailed not against me.

3 The sinners wrought upon my back: they prolonged their *שיך iniquity, easily read for שוכה a furrow. iniquity.

4 The righteous Lord has cut asunder the necks of sinners.

5 Let all that hate Sion be put to shame and turned back.

6 Let them be as the grass of the housetops, which withers before it is plucked up.

7 Wherewith the reaper fills not his hand, nor he that makes up the sheaves, his bosom.

8 Neither do they that go by say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.