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Psalm 126
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Psalm 126[a]

The Reversal of Zion’s Fortunes

1 A song of ascents.

I

When the Lord restored the captives of Zion,(A)
    we thought we were dreaming.
2 Then our mouths were filled with laughter;
    our tongues sang for joy.(B)
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord had done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
    Oh, how happy we were!
4 Restore our captives, Lord,
    like the dry stream beds of the Negeb.[b]

II

5 Those who sow in tears
    will reap with cries of joy.(C)
6 Those who go forth weeping,
    carrying sacks of seed,
Will return with cries of joy,
    carrying their bundled sheaves.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 126 A lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile. The people rejoice that they are in Zion (Ps 126:1–3) but mere presence in the holy city is not enough; they must pray for the prosperity and the fertility of the land (Ps 126:4). The last verses are probably an oracle of promise: the painful work of sowing will be crowned with life (Ps 126:5–6).
  2. 126:4 Like the dry stream beds of the Negeb: the psalmist prays for rain in such abundance that the dry riverbeds will run.
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Psalm 126
New American Standard Bible

Thanksgiving for Return from Captivity.

A Song of Ascents.

126 When the Lord (A)brought back [a]the captives of Zion,
We were (B)like those who dream.
2 Then our (C)mouth was filled with laughter
And our (D)tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has (E)done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
We are (F)joyful.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
As the [b](G)streams in the [c]South.
5 Those who sow in (H)tears shall harvest with (I)joyful shouting.
6 One who goes here and there weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 126:1 Or those who returned to
  2. Psalm 126:4 Lit stream-beds
  3. Psalm 126:4 Heb Negev
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Psalm 126
English Standard Version

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.
2 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.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.

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

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Psalm 126
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

Psalm 126

A Harvest of Joy

A Song of Ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,[a]
    we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we rejoiced.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5 May those who sow in tears
    reap with shouts of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    carrying their sheaves.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 126:1 Or brought back those who returned to Zion
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Psalm 126
New International Version

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored(A) the fortunes of[a] Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.[b]
2 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.”
3 The Lord has done great things(E) for us,
    and we are filled with joy.(F)

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

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
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