Psalm 124–127

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 If the Lord had not been on our side—

let Israel sayo—

2 if the Lord had not been on our side

when people attacked us,

3 they would have swallowed us alive

when their anger flared against us;

4 the floodp would have engulfed us,

the torrentq would have swept over us,

5 the raging waters

would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the Lord,

who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7 We have escaped like a bird

from the fowler’s snare;r

the snare has been broken,s

and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the namet of the Lord,

the Maker of heavenu and earth.

Psalm 125

A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,v

which cannot be shakenw but endures forever.

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,x

so the Lord surroundsy his people

both now and forevermore.

3 The scepterz of the wicked will not remaina

over the land allotted to the righteous,

for then the righteous might use

their hands to do evil.b

4 Lord, do goodc to those who are good,

to those who are upright in heart.d

5 But those who turne to crooked waysf

the Lord will banishg with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.h

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restoredi the fortunes ofa Zion,

we were like those who dreamed.b

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,j

our tongues with songs of joy.k

Then it was said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great thingsl for them.”

3 The Lord has done great thingsm for us,

and we are filled with joy.n

4 Restore our fortunes,c o Lord,

like streams in the Negev.p

5 Those who sow with tearsq

will reapr with songs of joy.s

6 Those who go out weeping,t

carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with them.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the Lord buildsu the house,

the builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watchesv over the city,

the guards stand watch in vain.

2 In vain you rise early

and stay up late,

toiling for foodw to eat—

for he grants sleepx toa those he loves.y

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,

offspring a rewardz from him.

4 Like arrowsa in the hands of a warrior

are children born in one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man

whose quiver is full of them.b

They will not be put to shame

when they contend with their opponentsc in court.d