Psalm 125:1–126:5

¹A gradual canticle.

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted.

²Then was our mouth filled with gladness; and our tongue with joy. Then shall they say among the Gentiles: The Lord hath done great things for them.

³The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful.

⁴Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south.

⁵They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

⁶Going they went and wept, casting their seeds.

⁷But coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.

Psalm 126

¹A gradual canticle of Solomon.

Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.

²It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved,

³Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.

⁴As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken.

⁵Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.