Psalm 124–127

Psalm 124

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

1 What if the Lord had not been on our side?

Let all Israel repeat:

2 What if the Lord had not been on our side

when people attacked us?

3 They would have swallowed us alive

in their burning anger.

4 The waters would have engulfed us;

a torrent would have overwhelmed us.

5 Yes, the raging waters of their fury

would have overwhelmed our very lives.

6 Praise the Lord,

who did not let their teeth tear us apart!

7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap.

The trap is broken, and we are free!

8 Our help is from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 125

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;

they will not be defeated but will endure forever.

2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.

3 The wicked will not rule the land of the godly,

for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.

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

whose hearts are in tune with you.

5 But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O Lord.

Take them away with those who do evil.

May Israel have peace!

Psalm 126

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.

Psalm 127

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon.

1 Unless the Lord builds a house,

the work of the builders is wasted.

Unless the Lord protects a city,

guarding it with sentries will do no good.

2 It is useless for you to work so hard

from early morning until late at night,

anxiously working for food to eat;

for God gives rest to his loved ones.

3 Children are a gift from the Lord;

they are a reward from him.

4 Children born to a young man

are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.

5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!

He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.