Psalm 125-128

English Standard Version

The Lord Surrounds His People

A Song of ^(A)Ascents.

125 Those who ^(B)trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
    which ^(C)cannot be moved, but abides forever.
²As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so ^(D)the Lord surrounds his people,
    from this time forth and forevermore.
³For ^(E)the scepter of wickedness shall not ^(F)rest
    on ^(G)the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous ^(H)stretch out
    their hands to do wrong.
⁴^(I)Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
    and to those who are ^(J)upright in their hearts!
⁵But those who ^(K)turn aside to their ^(L)crooked ways
    the Lord will lead away with ^(M)evildoers!
    ^(N)Peace be upon Israel!

Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord

A Song of ^(O)Ascents.

126 When the Lord ^(P)restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who ^(Q)dream.
²Then our ^(R)mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    ^(S)“The Lord has done great things for them.”
³The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.

⁴Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negeb!
⁵^(T)Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!
⁶He 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 ^(U)Ascents. Of Solomon.

127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord ^(V)watches over the city,
    the watchman stays awake in vain.
²It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious ^(W)toil;
    for he gives to his ^(X)beloved ^(Y)sleep.

³Behold, ^(Z)children are a heritage from the Lord,
    ^(AA)the fruit of the womb a reward.
⁴Like arrows in the hand of ^(AB)a warrior
    are the children^[a] of one's youth.
⁵Blessed is the man
    who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
    when he speaks with his enemies ^(AC)in the gate.^[b]

Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord

A Song of ^(AD)Ascents.

128 ^(AE)Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who ^(AF)walks in his ways!
²You ^(AG)shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

³Your wife will be like ^(AH)a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like ^(AI)olive shoots
    around your table.
⁴Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
    who fears the Lord.

⁵^(AJ)The Lord bless you ^(AK)from Zion!
    May you see ^(AL)the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life!
⁶May you see your ^(AM)children's children!
    ^(AN)Peace be upon Israel!