Psalm 126-130
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 126
A Harvest of Joy
A Song of Ascents.
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,[a]
we were like those who dream.(A)
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”(B)
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.(C)
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.(D)
5 May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.(E)
6 Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
Psalm 127
God’s Blessings in the Home
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord guards the city,
the guard keeps watch in vain.(F)
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil,
for he gives sleep to his beloved.[b](G)
3 Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.(H)
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons of one’s youth.
5 Happy 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.(I)
Psalm 128
The Happy Home of the Faithful
A Song of Ascents.
1 Happy is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways.(J)
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.(K)
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.(L)
4 Thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.
5 The Lord bless you from Zion.
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.(M)
6 May you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!(N)
Psalm 129
Prayer for the Downfall of Israel’s Enemies
A Song of Ascents.
1 Often have they attacked me from my youth
—let Israel now say—(O)
2 often have they attacked me from my youth,
yet they have not prevailed against me.(P)
3 The plowers plowed on my back;
they made their furrows long.
4 The Lord is righteous;
he has cut the cords of the wicked.(Q)
5 May all who hate Zion
be put to shame and turned backward.(R)
6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops
that withers before it grows up,(S)
7 with which reapers do not fill their hands
or binders of sheaves their arms,
8 while those who pass by do not say,
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you!
We bless you in the name of the Lord!”(T)
Psalm 130
Waiting for Divine Redemption
A Song of Ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.(U)
2 Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!(V)
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?(W)
4 But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.(X)
5 I wait for the Lord; my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;(Y)
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.(Z)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.