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)

Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

“They have greatly oppressed(AJ) me from my youth,”(AK)
    let Israel say;(AL)
“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory(AM) over me.
Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
But the Lord is righteous;(AN)
    he has cut me free(AO) from the cords of the wicked.”(AP)

May all who hate Zion(AQ)
    be turned back in shame.(AR)
May they be like grass on the roof,(AS)
    which withers(AT) before it can grow;
a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,(AU)
    nor one who gathers fill his arms.
May those who pass by not say to them,
    “The blessing of the Lord be on you;
    we bless you(AV) in the name of the Lord.”

Psalm 130

A song of ascents.

Out of the depths(AW) I cry to you,(AX) Lord;
    Lord, hear my voice.(AY)
Let your ears be attentive(AZ)
    to my cry for mercy.(BA)

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?(BB)
But with you there is forgiveness,(BC)
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.(BD)

I wait for the Lord,(BE) my whole being waits,(BF)
    and in his word(BG) I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen(BH) wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.(BI)

Israel, put your hope(BJ) in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love(BK)
    and with him is full redemption.(BL)
He himself will redeem(BM) Israel
    from all their sins.(BN)

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

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