Psalms 126–130

A Song of Ascents.

¹When the LORD brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.

²Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

³The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.

⁴Restore our fortunes again, LORD, like the streams in the Negev.

⁵Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.

⁶He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.

A Song of Ascents. By Solomon.

¹Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

²It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil, for he gives sleep to his loved ones.

³Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

⁴As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

⁵Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

A Song of Ascents.

¹Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways.

²For you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you.

³Your wife will be as a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house, your children like olive shoots around your table.

⁴Behold, this is how the man who fears the LORD is blessed.

⁵May the LORD bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

⁶Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.

A Song of Ascents.

¹Many times they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say:

²many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.

³The plowers plowed on my back. They made their furrows long.

⁴The LORD is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked.

⁵Let them be disappointed and turned backward, all those who hate Zion.

⁶Let them be as the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,

⁷with which the reaper doesn’t fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.

⁸Neither do those who go by say, “The blessing of the LORD be on you. We bless you in the LORD’s name.”

A Song of Ascents.

¹Out of the depths I have cried to you, LORD.

²Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions.

³If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?

⁴But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.

⁵I wait for the LORD. My soul waits. I hope in his word.

⁶My soul longs for the Lord more than watchmen long for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

⁷Israel, hope in the LORD, for there is loving kindness with the LORD. Abundant redemption is with him.

⁸He will redeem Israel from all their sins.