Psalm 126–128

Psalm 126

ZION’S RESTORATION

A song of ascents.

¹When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,^A

we were like those who dream.^g

²Our mouths were filled with laughter then,^h

and our tongues with shouts of joy.ⁱ

Then they said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”^j

³The Lord had done great things for us;

we were joyful.^k

⁴Restore our fortunes,^B Lord,

like watercourses in the Negev.^l

⁵Those who sow in tears

will reap with shouts of joy.^m

⁶Though one goes along weeping,

carrying the bag of seed,

he will surely come back with shouts of joy,

carrying his sheaves.ⁿ

Psalm 127

THE BLESSING OF THE LORD

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless the Lord builds a house,

its builders labor over it in vain;^o

unless the Lord watches over a city,

the watchman stays alert in vain.^p

²In vain you get up early and stay up late,

working hard to have enough food—

yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves.^Cq

³Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,

offspring, a reward.^r

⁴Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the sons born in one’s youth.^s

⁵Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them.^t

They will never be put to shame

when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.^u

Psalm 128

BLESSINGS FOR THOSE WHO FEAR GOD

A song of ascents.

¹How happy is everyone who fears the Lord,

who walks in his ways!^v

²You will surely eat

what your hands have worked for.^w

You will be happy,

and it will go well for you.^x

³Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house,

your children, like young olive trees

around your table.^y

⁴In this very way

the man who fears the Lord

will be blessed.^z

⁵May the Lord bless you from Zion,

so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life^aa

⁶and will see your children’s children!

Peace be with Israel.^ab