Refrain: The Lord ransoms the life of his servants.
1 ‘Many a time have they fought against me from my youth,’ ♦
may Israel now say;
2 ‘Many a time have they fought against me from my youth, ♦
but they have not prevailed against me.’
3 The ploughers ploughed upon my back ♦
and made their furrows long.
4 But the righteous Lord ♦
has cut the cords of the wicked in pieces. [R]
5 Let them be put to shame and turned backwards, ♦
as many as are enemies of Zion.
6 Let them be like grass upon the housetops, ♦
which withers before it can grow,
7 So that no reaper can fill his hand, ♦
nor a binder of sheaves his bosom;
8 And none who go by may say,
‘The blessing of the Lord be upon you. ♦
We bless you in the name of the Lord.’
Refrain: The Lord ransoms the life of his servants.
you bore the cut of the lash
for us and our salvation;
help us to bear our sufferings
and to share in the affliction
of all who suffer for your holy name.
Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing.