Psalm 125-127

New International Version

Psalm 125

A song of ascents.

¹Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,^(A)
    which cannot be shaken^(B) but endures forever.
²As the mountains surround Jerusalem,^(C)
    so the Lord surrounds^(D) his people
    both now and forevermore.

³The scepter^(E) of the wicked will not remain^(F)
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.^(G)

⁴Lord, do good^(H) to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.^(I)
⁵But those who turn^(J) to crooked ways^(K)
the Lord will banish^(L) with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.^(M)

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

¹When the Lord restored^(N) the fortunes of^[a] Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.^[b]
²Our mouths were filled with laughter,^(O)
    our tongues with songs of joy.^(P)
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things^(Q) for them.”
³The Lord has done great things^(R) for us,
    and we are filled with joy.^(S)

⁴Restore our fortunes,^[c]^(T) Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.^(U)
⁵Those who sow with tears^(V)
    will reap^(W) with songs of joy.^(X)
⁶Those who go out weeping,^(Y)
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless the Lord builds^(Z) the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches^(AA) over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
²In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food^(AB) to eat—
    for he grants sleep^(AC) to^[d] those he loves.^(AD)

³Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward^(AE) from him.
⁴Like arrows^(AF) in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
⁵Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.^(AG)
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents^(AH) in court.^(AI)