Psalm 124:title–127:5

Our Help Is in the Name of the Lord

124 A Song of mAscents. Of David.

1  xIf it had not been the Lord who was on our side—

ylet Israel now say—

2  if it had not been the Lord who was on our side

when people rose up against us,

3  then they would have zswallowed us up alive,

when their anger was kindled against us;

4  then athe flood would have bswept us away,

the torrent would have gone cover us;

5  then over us would have gone

the raging waters.

6  Blessed be the Lord,

who has not given us

as prey to their teeth!

7  We have escaped like a bird

from dthe snare of the fowlers;

the snare is broken,

and we have escaped!

8  eOur help is in the name of the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

The Lord Surrounds His People

125 A Song of mAscents.

1  Those who ftrust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,

which gcannot be moved, but abides forever.

2  As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so hthe Lord surrounds his people,

from this time forth and forevermore.

3  For ithe scepter of wickedness shall not jrest

on kthe land allotted to the righteous,

lest the righteous lstretch out

their hands to do wrong.

4  mDo good, O Lord, to those who are good,

and to those who are nupright in their hearts!

5  But those who oturn aside to their pcrooked ways

the Lord will lead away with qevildoers!

rPeace be upon Israel!

Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord

126 A Song of mAscents.

1  When the Lord srestored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who tdream.

2  Then our umouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy;

then they said among the nations,

v“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3  The Lord has done great things for us;

we are glad.

4  Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

like streams in the Negeb!

5  wThose who sow in tears

shall reap with shouts of joy!

6  He who goes out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

bringing his sheaves with him.

Unless the Lord Builds the House

127 A Song of mAscents. Of Solomon.

1  Unless the Lord builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord xwatches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

2  It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious ytoil;

for he gives to his zbeloved asleep.

3  Behold, bchildren are a heritage from the Lord,

cthe fruit of the womb a reward.

4  Like arrows in the hand of da warrior

are the children1 of one’s youth.

5  Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies ein the gate.2