A song of the ascents.
1People have attacked me much since my youth,
Yisra’el is pleased to say,
2People have attacked me much,
though not prevailed over me.
3Over my back ploughmen have ploughed;
they made long furrows.
4Yahweh is faithful;
he cut through the ropes of the faithless people.
5May they be shamed and may they turn backwards,
all the people who are hostile to Tsiyyon.
6May they become like the grass on roofs
that withers before someone has plucked it,
7With which a reaper has not filled his fist,
or a gatherer his arm,
8And passers-by have not said,
‘Yahweh’s blessing on you;
we bless you in Yahweh’s name.’
O thou, who art the light of the minds that know thee,
the life of the souls that love thee,
and the strength of the wills that serve thee;
help us so to know thee that we may truly love thee;
so to love thee that we may fully serve thee,
whom to serve is perfect freedom.
Amen