Psalm 126-130
American Standard Version
Thanksgiving for return from captivity.
A Song of Ascents.
126 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, [a]bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Prosperity comes from Jehovah.
A Song of Ascents; of Solomon.
127 Except Jehovah build the house,
They labor in vain that build it:
Except Jehovah keep the city,
The watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To take rest late,
To eat the bread of toil;
For so he giveth unto his beloved [b]sleep.
3 Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah;
And the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man,
So are the children of youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:
They shall not be put to shame,
When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Blessedness of the fear of Jehovah.
A Song of Ascents.
128 Blessed is every one that feareth Jehovah,
That walketh in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands:
Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine,
In the innermost parts of thy house;
Thy children like olive plants,
Round about thy table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
That feareth Jehovah.
5 Jehovah bless thee out of Zion:
And see thou the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 Yea, see thou thy children’s children.
[c]Peace be upon Israel.
Prayer for the overthrow of Zion’s enemies.
A Song of Ascents.
[d]129 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up,
Let Israel now say,
2 [e]Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up:
Yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back;
They made long their furrows.
4 Jehovah is righteous:
He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5 Let them be put to shame and turned backward,
All they that hate Zion.
6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops,
Which withereth before it [f]groweth up;
7 Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand,
Nor he that bindeth sheaves, his bosom:
8 Neither do they that go by say,
The blessing of Jehovah be upon you;
We bless you in the name of Jehovah.
Hope in the Lord’s forgiving love.
A Song of Ascents.
130 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Jehovah.
2 Lord, hear my voice:
Let thine ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
3 If thou, [g]Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with thee,
That thou mayest be feared.
5 I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait,
And in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord
More than watchmen wait for the morning;
Yea, more than watchmen for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in Jehovah;
For with Jehovah there is lovingkindness,
And with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.
Footnotes
- Psalm 126:6 Or, bearing the measure of seed
- Psalm 127:2 Or, in sleep
- Psalm 128:6 Or, And peace upon Israel
- Psalm 129:1 Or, Much
- Psalm 129:2 Or, Much
- Psalm 129:6 Or, is plucked up
- Psalm 130:3 Hebrew Jah.
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