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Thanksgiving for Return from Captivity.

A Song of [a]Ascents.

126 When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion (Jerusalem),
We were like those who dream [it seemed so unreal].(A)

Then our mouth was filled with laughter
And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us;
We are glad!


Restore our [b]captivity, O Lord,
As the stream-beds in the South (the Negev) [are restored by torrents of rain].

They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing.

He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying his bag of seed [for planting],
Will indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Prosperity Comes from the Lord.

A Song of [c]Ascents. Of Solomon.

127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.(B)

It is vain for you to rise early,
To retire late,
To eat the bread of anxious labors—
For He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep.


Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb a reward.(C)

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.

How blessed [happy and fortunate] is the man whose quiver is filled with them;
They will not be ashamed
When they speak with their enemies [in gatherings] at the [city] gate.

Blessedness of the Fear of the Lord.

A Song of [d]Ascents.

128 Blessed [happy and sheltered by God’s favor] is everyone who fears the Lord [and worships Him with obedience],
Who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments.(D)

For you shall eat the fruit of [the labor of] your hands,
You will be happy and blessed and it will be well with you.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within the innermost part of your house;
Your children will be like olive plants
Around your table.

Behold, for so shall the man be blessed and divinely favored
Who fears the Lord [and worships Him with obedience].


May the Lord bless you from Zion [His holy mountain],
And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life;

Indeed, may you see your [family perpetuated in your] children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 126:1 See Psalm 120 title note.
  2. Psalm 126:4 I.e. the remaining exiles.
  3. Psalm 127:1 See Psalm 120 title note.
  4. Psalm 128:1 See Psalm 120 title note.

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

When the Lord restored(A) the fortunes of[a] Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.[b]
Our mouths were filled with laughter,(B)
    our tongues with songs of joy.(C)
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things(D) for them.”
The Lord has done great things(E) for us,
    and we are filled with joy.(F)

Restore our fortunes,[c](G) Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.(H)
Those who sow with tears(I)
    will reap(J) with songs of joy.(K)
Those who go out weeping,(L)
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the Lord builds(M) the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches(N) over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food(O) to eat—
    for he grants sleep(P) to[d] those he loves.(Q)

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward(R) from him.
Like arrows(S) in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.(T)
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents(U) in court.(V)

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,(W)
    who walk in obedience to him.(X)
You will eat the fruit of your labor;(Y)
    blessings and prosperity(Z) will be yours.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine(AA)
    within your house;
your children(AB) will be like olive shoots(AC)
    around your table.
Yes, this will be the blessing(AD)
    for the man who fears the Lord.(AE)

May the Lord bless you from Zion;(AF)
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem(AG)
    all the days of your life.
May you live to see your children’s children—(AH)
    peace be on Israel.(AI)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 126:1 Or Lord brought back the captives to
  2. Psalm 126:1 Or those restored to health
  3. Psalm 126:4 Or Bring back our captives
  4. Psalm 127:2 Or eat— / for while they sleep he provides for

19 What do I mean then? That a thing offered to idols is anything [special or changed simply because it is offered], or that an idol is anything? 20 On the contrary, the things which the Gentiles (pagans) sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons [in effect], and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons [by eating at feasts in pagan temples].(A) 21 You cannot drink [both] the Lord’s cup and the cup of demons. You cannot share in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons [thereby becoming partners with them]. 22 Do we [really] provoke the Lord to jealousy [when we eat food sacrificed to handmade “gods” at pagan feasts]? Are we [spiritually] stronger than He? [Certainly not! He knows that the idols are nothing. But we deeply [a]offend Him.](B)

23 All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. 24 Let no one seek [only] his own good, but [also] that of the other person. 25 [Regarding meat offered to idols:] Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking any questions for the sake of your conscience, 26 For the [whole] earth is the Lord’s, and everything that is in it.(C) 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you [to a meal at his home] and you want to go, eat whatever is served to you without asking questions [about its source] for the sake of your conscience. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This meat has been offered in sacrifice to an idol,” do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who told you, and for conscience’s sake— 29 and by conscience I mean for the sake of the other man’s, not yours. For [b]why is my freedom [of choice] judged by another’s conscience [another’s ethics—another’s sense of right and wrong]? 30 If I take my share [of food] with thankfulness, why am I accused because of something for which I give thanks?

31 So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God. 32 Do not offend Jews or Greeks or even the church of God [but live to honor Him]; 33 just as I please everyone in all things [as much as possible adapting myself to the interests of others], not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, so that they [will be open to the message of salvation and] may be saved.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:22 The offense consists of becoming “partners with demons” (v 20) merely to enjoy the pagan meal as an exercise of the believer’s liberty.
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:29 Or to what end, i.e. what good can come of it?

19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(A) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(B) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.(C) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(D) Are we stronger than he?(E)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(F) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(G)

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(H) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[a](I)

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(J) without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.(K) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(L) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(M)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(N) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(O) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(P) 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(Q) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(R) so that they may be saved.(S)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1