Psalm 126:1–127:2

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