Psalm 126-127

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

⁴Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negeb!
⁵^(F)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 ^(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.
²It 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.

³Behold, ^(L)children are a heritage from the Lord,
    ^(M)the fruit of the womb a reward.
⁴Like arrows in the hand of ^(N)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 ^(O)in the gate.^[b]