Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord

A Song of (A)Ascents.

126 When the Lord (B)restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who (C)dream.
Then our (D)mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    (E)“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negeb!
(F)Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.

Unless the Lord Builds the House

A Song of (G)Ascents. Of Solomon.

127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord (H)watches over the city,
    the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious (I)toil;
    for he gives to his (J)beloved (K)sleep.

Behold, (L)children are a heritage from the Lord,
    (M)the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of (N)a warrior
    are the children[a] of one's youth.
Blessed is the man
    who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
    when he speaks with his enemies (O)in the gate.[b]

Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord

A Song of (P)Ascents.

128 (Q)Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
    who (R)walks in his ways!
You (S)shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
    you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

Your wife will be like (T)a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like (U)olive shoots
    around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
    who fears the Lord.

(V)The Lord bless you (W)from Zion!
    May you see (X)the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life!
May you see your (Y)children's children!
    (Z)Peace be upon Israel!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 127:4 Or sons
  2. Psalm 127:5 Or They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

When the Lord restored(A) the fortunes of[a] Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.[b]
Our mouths were filled with laughter,(B)
    our tongues with songs of joy.(C)
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things(D) for them.”
The Lord has done great things(E) for us,
    and we are filled with joy.(F)

Restore our fortunes,[c](G) Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.(H)
Those who sow with tears(I)
    will reap(J) with songs of joy.(K)
Those who go out weeping,(L)
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the Lord builds(M) the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches(N) over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food(O) to eat—
    for he grants sleep(P) to[d] those he loves.(Q)

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward(R) from him.
Like arrows(S) in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.(T)
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents(U) in court.(V)

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,(W)
    who walk in obedience to him.(X)
You will eat the fruit of your labor;(Y)
    blessings and prosperity(Z) will be yours.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine(AA)
    within your house;
your children(AB) will be like olive shoots(AC)
    around your table.
Yes, this will be the blessing(AD)
    for the man who fears the Lord.(AE)

May the Lord bless you from Zion;(AF)
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem(AG)
    all the days of your life.
May you live to see your children’s children—(AH)
    peace be on Israel.(AI)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 126:1 Or Lord brought back the captives to
  2. Psalm 126:1 Or those restored to health
  3. Psalm 126:4 Or Bring back our captives
  4. Psalm 127:2 Or eat— / for while they sleep he provides for