Psalm 126-128
New King James Version
A Joyful Return to Zion
A Song of Ascents.
126 When (A)the Lord brought back [a]the captivity of Zion,
(B)We were like those who dream.
2 Then (C)our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the [b]nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.
4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.
5 (D)Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes [c]forth weeping,
Bearing [d]seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again [e]with (E)rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
Laboring and Prospering with the Lord
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless (F)the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To (G)eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
3 Behold, (H)children are a heritage from the Lord,
(I)The fruit of the womb is a (J)reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 (K)Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
(L)They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
Blessings of Those Who Fear the Lord
A Song of Ascents.
128 Blessed (M)is every one who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
2 (N)When you eat the [f]labor of your hands,
You shall be happy, and it shall be (O)well with you.
3 Your wife shall be (P)like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your (Q)children (R)like olive plants
All around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.
5 (S)The Lord bless you out of Zion,
And may you see the good of Jerusalem
All the days of your life.
6 Yes, may you (T)see your children’s children.
(U)Peace be upon Israel!
Footnotes
- Psalm 126:1 Those of the captivity
- Psalm 126:2 Gentiles
- Psalm 126:6 to and fro
- Psalm 126:6 Lit. a bag of seed for sowing
- Psalm 126:6 with shouts of joy
- Psalm 128:2 Fruit of the labor
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.