Psalm 126–127

PSALM 126

A Song of Ascents.

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

we were like those who dream.

²Then 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.”

³The Lord has done great things for us;

we are glad.

⁴Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

like the watercourses in the Negeb!

⁵May those who sow in tears

reap with shouts of joy!

⁶He that goes forth weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

bringing his sheaves with him.

PSALM 127

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless the Lord builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

²It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives to his beloved sleep.

³Lo, sons are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

⁴Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the sons of one’s youth.

⁵Happy is the man who has

his quiver full of them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.