Psalm 128

A Song of ^[a]Ascents.

¹ Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who fears, reveres, and worships the Lord, who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments.

² For you shall eat [the fruit] of the labor of your hands; happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) shall you be, and it shall be well with you.

³ Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house; your children shall be like olive plants round about your table.

⁴ Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord.

⁵ May the Lord bless you out of Zion [His sanctuary], and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life;

⁶ Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 129

A Song of ^[b]Ascents.

¹ Many a time and much have they afflicted me from my youth up—let Israel now say—

² Many a time and much have they afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.

³ The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.

⁴ The Lord is [uncompromisingly] righteous; He has cut asunder the thick cords by which the wicked [enslaved us].

⁵ Let them all be put to shame and turned backward who hate Zion.

⁶ Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers before it grows up,

⁷ With which the mower fills not his hand, nor the binder of sheaves his bosom—

⁸ While those who go by do not say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord!