Psalm 127–134
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the Lord buildsu the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watchesv over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
and stay up late,
toiling for foodw to eat—
for he grants sleepx toa those he loves.y
3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a rewardz from him.
4 Like arrowsa in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
whose quiver is full of them.b
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponentsc in court.d
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,e
who walk in obedience to him.f
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;g
blessings and prosperityh will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vinei
within your house;
your childrenj will be like olive shootsk
around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessingl
for the man who fears the Lord.m
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion;n
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalemo
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children—p
peace be on Israel.q
1 “They have greatly oppressedr me from my youth,”s
let Israel say;t
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victoryu over me.
and made their furrows long.
4 But the Lord is righteous;v
he has cut me freew from the cords of the wicked.”x
5 May all who hate Ziony
be turned back in shame.z
6 May they be like grass on the roof,a
which withersb before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,c
nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them,
“The blessing of the Lord be on you;
we bless youd in the name of the Lord.”
1 Out of the depthse I cry to you,f Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.g
Let your ears be attentiveh
to my cry for mercy.i
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?j
4 But with you there is forgiveness,k
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.l
5 I wait for the Lord,m my whole being waits,n
and in his wordo I put my hope.
more than watchmenp wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.q
7 Israel, put your hoper in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing loves
and with him is full redemption.t
8 He himself will redeemu Israel
from all their sins.v
1 My heart is not proud,w Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;x
I do not concern myself with great mattersy
or things too wonderful for me.z
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,a
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.b
3 Israel, put your hopec in the Lord
both now and forevermore.d
and all his self-denial.e
2 He swore an oath to the Lord,
he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:f
3 “I will not enter my houseg
or go to my bed,
4 I will allow no sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5 till I find a placeh for the Lord,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 We heard it in Ephrathah,i
we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:a j
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place,k
let us worship at his footstool,l saying,
8 ‘Arise, Lord,m and come to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9 May your priests be clothed with your righteousness;n
may your faithful peopleo sing for joy.’ ”
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not reject your anointed one.
11 The Lord swore an oath to David,p
a sure oath he will not revoke:
“One of your own descendantsq
I will place on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenantr
and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons will sit
on your thrones for ever and ever.”
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion,t
he has desired it for his dwelling,u saying,
14 “This is my resting place for ever and ever;v
here I will sit enthroned,w for I have desired it.
15 I will bless her with abundant provisions;
her poor I will satisfy with food.x
16 I will clothe her priestsy with salvation,
and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.z
17 “Here I will make a hornb growa for David
and set up a lampb for my anointed one.c
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,d
but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”e
when God’s people live togetherf in unity!g
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,h
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dewi of Hermonj
were falling on Mount Zion.k
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,l
even life forevermore.m
1 Praise the Lord, all you servantsn of the Lord
who ministero by nightp in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your handsq in the sanctuaryr
and praise the Lord.s
3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,t
he who is the Maker of heavenu and earth.