Psalm 126:title–127:5

A Song of degrees.

When the Lord ^aturned again the captivity of Zion,

^bWe were like them that dream.

²Then ^cwas our mouth filled with laughter,

And our tongue with singing:

Then said they among the heathen,

^dThe Lord hath done great things for them.

³The Lord hath done great things for us;

Whereof we are glad.

⁴Turn again our captivity, O Lord,

^eAs the streams in ^fthe south.

^5gThey that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

⁶He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing ^hprecious seed,

Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm CXXVII.

A Song of degrees for Solomon.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it:

Except ^athe Lord keep the city, the watchman ^bwaketh but in vain.

²It is vain for you ^cto ^drise up early, to ^dsit up ^celate,

To ^feat the bread of ^gsorrows:

For ^hso he giveth his ⁱbeloved sleep.

³Lo, ^kchildren are an heritage of the Lord:

And ^lthe fruit of the womb is his reward.

⁴As arrows are in the hand of a ^mmighty man;

So are ⁿchildren of the youth.

⁵Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:

^oThey shall not be ashamed,

But they shall ^pspeak with the enemies in ^qthe gate.