Psalm 124

The Lord Is on Our Side

A song of ascents. Of David.

If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
if the Lord had not been on our side(A)
when people attacked us,(B)
then they would have swallowed us alive
in their burning anger against us.(C)
Then the water would have engulfed us;
the torrent would have swept over us;
the raging water would have swept over us.(D)

Blessed be the Lord,
who has not let us be ripped apart by their teeth.(E)
We have escaped like a bird from the hunter’s net;
the net is torn, and we have escaped.(F)
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.(G)

Psalm 125

Israel’s Stability

A song of ascents.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion.
It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.(H)
The mountains surround Jerusalem
and the Lord surrounds his people,
both now and forever.(I)

The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
so that the righteous will not apply their hands to injustice.(J)
Do what is good, Lord, to the good,
to those whose hearts are upright.(K)
But as for those who turn aside to crooked ways,
the Lord will banish them with the evildoers.(L)
Peace be with Israel.(M)

Psalm 126

Zion’s Restoration

A song of ascents.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,[a]
we were like those who dream.(N)
Our mouths were filled with laughter then,(O)
and our tongues with shouts of joy.(P)
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”(Q)
The Lord had done great things for us;
we were joyful.(R)

Restore our fortunes,[b] Lord,
like watercourses in the Negev.(S)
Those who sow in tears
will reap with shouts of joy.(T)
Though one goes along weeping,
carrying the bag of seed,
he will surely come back with shouts of joy,
carrying his sheaves.(U)

Psalm 127

The Blessing of the Lord

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the Lord builds a house,
its builders labor over it in vain;(V)
unless the Lord watches over a city,
the watchman stays alert in vain.(W)
In vain you get up early and stay up late,
working hard to have enough food—
yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves.[c](X)

Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,
offspring, a reward.(Y)
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons born in one’s youth.(Z)
Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them.(AA)
They will never be put to shame
when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.(AB)

Footnotes

  1. 126:1 Or Lord returned those of Zion who had been captives
  2. 126:4 Or Return our captives
  3. 127:2 Or yes, he gives such things to his loved ones while they sleep

Bible Gateway Recommends

The CSB Study Bible for Women, Teal Flowers LeatherTouch
The CSB Study Bible for Women, Teal Flowers LeatherTouch
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $30.99
Save: $29.00 (48%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
CSB Baby's New Testament with Psalms, Pink Imitation Leather
CSB Baby's New Testament with Psalms, Pink Imitation Leather
Retail: $7.99
Our Price: $6.29
Save: $1.70 (21%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Tony Evans Study Bible, Burgundy Bonded Leather
CSB Tony Evans Study Bible, Burgundy Bonded Leather
Retail: $79.99
Our Price: $23.99
Save: $56.00 (70%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Holy Land Illustrated Bible, hardcover
CSB Holy Land Illustrated Bible, hardcover
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $29.99
Save: $20.00 (40%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Apologetics Study Bible, Mahogany LeatherTouch
CSB Apologetics Study Bible, Mahogany LeatherTouch
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $38.99
Save: $21.00 (35%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars