Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

126 ⁽⁰⁾ A song of ascents:

⁽¹⁾ When Adonai restored Tziyon’s fortunes,
we thought we were dreaming.
² Our mouths were full of laughter,
and our tongues shouted for joy.

Among the nations it was said,
“Adonai has done great things for them!”
³ Adonai did do great things with us;
and we are overjoyed.

⁴ Return our people from exile, Adonai,
as streams fill vadis in the Negev.

⁵ Those who sow in tears
will reap with cries of joy.
⁶ He who goes out weeping
as he carries his sack of seed
will come home with cries of joy
as he carries his sheaves of grain.

⁸ Bring forward the people who are blind but have eyes,
also the deaf who have ears.
⁹ All the nations are gathered together,
and the peoples are assembled.
Who among them can proclaim this
and reveal what happened in the past?
Let them bring their witnesses to justify themselves,
so that others, on hearing, can say, “That’s true.”

¹⁰ “You are my witnesses,” says Adonai,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you can know and trust me
and understand that I am he —
no god was produced before me,
nor will any be after me.
¹¹ I, yes I, am Adonai;
besides me there is no deliverer.
¹² I have declared, saved and proclaimed —
not some alien god among you.
Therefore you are my witnesses,”
says Adonai. “I am God.
¹³ Since days began, I have been he.
No one can deliver from my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”

¹⁴ Here is what Adonai, your redeemer,
the Holy One of Isra’el, says:
“For your sake I have sent [an army] to Bavel
and knocked down the fleeing Kasdim, all of them;
their songs of triumph are now lamentations.
¹⁵ I am Adonai, your Holy One,
the Creator of Isra’el, your King.”