The Cords of the Wicked

1A Song of the Ascents.

1 Often they have distressed me from my youth—

now let Israel say—

2Often they have distressed me from my youth,

yet they have not prevailed against me.

3Upon my back, the plowmen were plowing;

they have made long their furrows.

4YHWH the Righteous One,

may He cut off the cords of the wicked!

5May they be put to shame and turned back,

all those hating Zion!

6May they be like grass on the rooftops

that has withered before it can grow,

7unable to fill the hand of one reaping,

or the bosom of one binding sheaves.

8And neither let those passing by say,

“The blessing of YHWH be upon you⁺;

we bless you⁺ in the name of YHWH!”