Psalm 128–130

Psalm 128

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

¹How joyful are those who fear the Lord—

all who follow his ways!

²You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.

How joyful and prosperous you will be!

³Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine,

flourishing within your home.

Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees

as they sit around your table.

⁴That is the Lord’s blessing

for those who fear him.

⁵May the Lord continually bless you from Zion.

May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.

⁶May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.

May Israel have peace!

Psalm 129

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

¹From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me.

Let all Israel repeat this:

²From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me,

but they have never defeated me.

³My back is covered with cuts,

as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.

⁴But the Lord is good;

he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly.

⁵May all who hate Jerusalem

be turned back in shameful defeat.

⁶May they be as useless as grass on a rooftop,

turning yellow when only half grown,

⁷ignored by the harvester,

despised by the binder.

⁸And may those who pass by

refuse to give them this blessing:

“The Lord bless you;

we bless you in the Lord’s name.”

Psalm 130

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

¹From the depths of despair, O Lord,

I call for your help.

²Hear my cry, O Lord.

Pay attention to my prayer.

³Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,

who, O Lord, could ever survive?

⁴But you offer forgiveness,

that we might learn to fear you.

⁵I am counting on the Lord;

yes, I am counting on him.

I have put my hope in his word.

⁶I long for the Lord

more than sentries long for the dawn,

yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

⁷O Israel, hope in the Lord;

for with the Lord there is unfailing love.

His redemption overflows.

⁸He himself will redeem Israel

from every kind of sin.