Title A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dreamed.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us,

and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,

like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow with tears

will reap with songs of joy.

6 Those who go out weeping,

carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with them.

Title A Song of Ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy;

then they said among the nations,

“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 Those 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.

Title A Song of degrees.

1 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion,

We were like them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter,

And our tongue with singing:

Then said they among the heathen,

The Lord hath done great things for them.

3 The Lord hath done great things for us;

Whereof we are glad.

4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord,

As the streams in the south.

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,

Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Title A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,

it was like a dream!

2 We were filled with laughter,

and we sang for joy.

And the other nations said,

“What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!

What joy!

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,

as streams renew the desert.

5 Those who plant in tears

will harvest with shouts of joy.

6 They weep as they go to plant their seed,

but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Title A song for going up to worship.

1 When the Lord brought the prisoners back to Jerusalem,

it seemed as if we were dreaming.

2 Then we were filled with laughter,

and we sang happy songs.

Then the other nations said,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us,

and we are very glad.

4 Lord, return our prisoners again,

as you bring streams to the desert.

5 Those who cry as they plant crops

will sing at harvest time.

6 Those who cry

as they carry out the seeds

will return singing

and carrying bundles of grain.

Title A Song of Ascents.

1 When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion,

We were like unto them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter,

And our tongue with singing:

Then said they among the nations,

Jehovah hath done great things for them.

3 Jehovah hath done great things for us,

Whereof we are glad.

4 Turn again our captivity, O Jehovah,

As the streams in the South.

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing,

Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Title A Song of degrees.

1 When Jehovah turned the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing: then said they among the nations, Jehovah hath done great things for them. 3 Jehovah hath done great things for us; and we are joyful.

4 Turn our captivity, O Jehovah, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap with rejoicing: 6 He goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for scattering; he cometh again with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves.

Title A song for going up to worship. 

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, 

it was as if we were dreaming. 

2 Then our mouths were filled with laughter 

and our tongues with joyful songs. 

Then the nations said, 

“The Lord has done spectacular things for them.” 

3 The Lord has done spectacular things for us. 

We are overjoyed. 

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, 

as you restore streams ⸤to dry riverbeds⸥ in the Negev. 

5 Those who cry while they plant 

will joyfully sing while they harvest. 

6 The person who goes out weeping, carrying his bag of seed, 

will come home singing, carrying his bundles of grain. 

Title A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter then,

and our tongues with shouts of joy.

Then they said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord had done great things for us;

we were joyful.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,

like watercourses in the Negev.

5 Those who sow in tears

will reap with shouts of joy.

6 Though one goes along weeping,

carrying the bag of seed,

he will surely come back with shouts of joy,

carrying his sheaves.

Title A Song of Ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy;

then it was said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us,

and we rejoiced.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

like the watercourses in the Negeb.

5 May those who sow in tears

reap with shouts of joy.

6 Those who go out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

carrying their sheaves.

Title A song of ascents.

1 When Yahweh restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like dreamers.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations,

“Yahweh has done great things for these people.”

3 Yahweh has done great things for us;

we are glad.

4 Restore, O Yahweh, our fortunes

like the streams in the Negeb.

5 Those who sow with tears

shall reap with rejoicing.

6 He who diligently goes out with weeping,

carrying the seed bag,

shall certainly come in with rejoicing,

carrying his sheaves.

Title A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.

1 Our enemies took us away from Zion.

But when the Lord brought us home,

it seemed like a dream to us.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter.

Our tongues sang with joy.

Then the people of other nations said,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us.

And we are filled with joy.

4 Lord, bless us with great success again,

as rain makes streams flow in the Negev Desert.

5 Those who cry as they plant their crops

will sing with joy when they gather them in.

6 Those who go out sobbing

as they carry seeds to plant

will come back singing with joy.

They will bring the new crop back with them.

Title A Song of Ascents.

1 When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion,

We were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter

And our tongue with joyful shouting;

Then they said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us;

We are glad.

4 Restore our captivity, O Lord,

As the streams in the South.

5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.

6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,

Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.