Psalm 126–127

Psalm 126

Zion’s Restoration

A song of ascents.

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

we were like those who dream. ^h

²Our mouths were filled with laughter then, ⁱ

and our tongues with shouts of joy. ^j

Then they said among the nations,

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

³The Lord had done great things for us;

we were joyful. ^l

⁴Restore our fortunes, ^mLord,

like watercourses in the Negev. ⁿ

⁵Those who sow in tears

will reap with shouts of joy. ^o

⁶Though one goes along weeping,

carrying the bag of seed,

he will surely come back with shouts of joy,

carrying his sheaves. ^p

Psalm 127

The Blessing of the Lord

A Solomonic song of ascents.

¹Unless the Lord builds a house,

its builders labor over it in vain; ^q

unless the Lord watches over a city,

the watchman stays alert in vain. ^r

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. ^st

³Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,

children, a reward. ^u

⁴Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the sons born in one’s youth. ^v

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

Such men will never be put to shame

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