126 ⁽⁰⁾ A song of ascents:

⁽¹⁾ When Adonai restored Tziyon’s fortunes,
we thought we were dreaming.
² Our mouths were full of laughter,
and our tongues shouted for joy.

Among the nations it was said,
“Adonai has done great things for them!”
³ Adonai did do great things with us;
and we are overjoyed.

⁴ Return our people from exile, Adonai,
as streams fill vadis in the Negev.

⁵ Those who sow in tears
will reap with cries of joy.
⁶ He who goes out weeping
as he carries his sack of seed
will come home with cries of joy
as he carries his sheaves of grain.

127 ⁽⁰⁾ A song of ascents. By Shlomo:

⁽¹⁾ Unless Adonai builds the house,
its builders work in vain.
Unless Adonai guards the city,
the guard keeps watch in vain.

² In vain do you get up early
and put off going to bed,
working hard to earn a living;
for he provides for his beloved,
even when they sleep.
³ Children too are a gift from Adonai;
the fruit of the womb is a reward.
⁴ The children born when one is young.
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
⁵ How blessed is the man
who has filled his quiver with them;
he will not have to be embarrassed
when contending with foes at the city gate.

128 ⁽⁰⁾ A song of ascents:

⁽¹⁾ How happy is everyone who fears Adonai,
who lives by his ways.

² You will eat what your hands have produced;
you will be happy and prosperous.
³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the inner parts of your house.
Your children around the table will be
like shoots from an olive tree.

⁴ This is the kind of blessing that will fall
on him who fears Adonai.

⁵ May Adonai bless you from Tziyon!
May you see Yerushalayim prosper
all the days of your life,
⁶ and may you live to see your children’s children!

Shalom on Isra’el.

129 ⁽⁰⁾ A song of ascents:

⁽¹⁾ Since I was young they have often attacked me —
let Isra’el repeat it —
² since I was young they have often attacked me,
but they haven’t overcome me.

³ The plowmen plowed on my back;
wounding me with long furrows.
⁴ But Adonai is righteous;
he cuts me free from the yoke of the wicked.

⁵ Let all who hate Tziyon
be thrown back in confusion.
⁶ Let them be like grass on the roof,
which dries out before it grows up
⁷ and never fills the reaper’s hands
or the arms of the one who binds sheaves,
⁸ so that no passer-by says,
“Adonai’s blessing on you!
We bless you in the name of Adonai!”

130 ⁽⁰⁾ A song of ascents. By David:

⁽¹⁾ Adonai, I call to you from the depths;
² hear my cry, Adonai!
Let your ears pay attention
to the sound of my pleading.

³ Yah, if you kept a record of sins,
who, Adonai, could stand?
⁴ But with you there is forgiveness,
so that you will be feared.

⁵ I wait longingly for Adonai;
I put my hope in his word.
⁶ Everything in me waits for Adonai
more than guards on watch wait for morning,
more than guards on watch wait for morning.

⁷ Isra’el, put your hope in Adonai!
For grace is found with Adonai,
and with him is unlimited redemption.
⁸ He will redeem Isra’el
from all their wrongdoings.