Psalm 126–127

Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord

126A Song of ^mAscents.

¹When the Lord ^srestored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who ^tdream.

²Then 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.”

³The Lord has done great things for us;

we are glad.

⁴Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

like streams in the Negeb!

^5wThose who sow in tears

shall reap with shouts of joy!

⁶He 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

127A Song of ^mAscents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless 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.

²It 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.

³Behold, ^bchildren are a heritage from the Lord,

^cthe fruit of the womb a reward.

⁴Like arrows in the hand of ^da warrior

are the children¹ of one’s youth.

⁵Blessed 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