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A Prayer for Restoration

A song of ascents.[a]

126 When Yahweh restored the fortunes[b] of Zion,[c]
we were like dreamers.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
Then they said among the nations,
“Yahweh has done great things for these people.”
Yahweh has done great things for us;
we are glad.
Restore, O Yahweh, our fortunes[d]
like the streams in the Negeb.[e]
Those who sow with tears
shall reap with rejoicing.
He who diligently goes out with weeping,
carrying the seed bag,
shall certainly come in with rejoicing,
carrying his sheaves.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 126:1 The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm
  2. Psalm 126:1 Or “captivity”
  3. Psalm 126:1 Or “those returned of belonging to Zion”
  4. Psalm 126:4 Or “captivity”
  5. Psalm 126:4 Or “South”

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.

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