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126 (0) A song of ascents:

(1) When Adonai restored Tziyon’s fortunes,
we thought we were dreaming.
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!”
Adonai did do great things with us;
and we are overjoyed.

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

Those who sow in tears
will reap with cries of joy.
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.

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.
Children too are a gift from Adonai;
the fruit of the womb is a reward.
The children born when one is young.
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
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.

You will eat what your hands have produced;
you will be happy and prosperous.
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.

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

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

Shalom on Isra’el.

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

When the Lord restored(A) the fortunes of[a] Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.[b]
Our mouths were filled with laughter,(B)
    our tongues with songs of joy.(C)
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things(D) for them.”
The Lord has done great things(E) for us,
    and we are filled with joy.(F)

Restore our fortunes,[c](G) Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.(H)
Those who sow with tears(I)
    will reap(J) with songs of joy.(K)
Those who go out weeping,(L)
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the Lord builds(M) the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches(N) over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food(O) to eat—
    for he grants sleep(P) to[d] those he loves.(Q)

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward(R) from him.
Like arrows(S) in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.(T)
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents(U) in court.(V)

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,(W)
    who walk in obedience to him.(X)
You will eat the fruit of your labor;(Y)
    blessings and prosperity(Z) will be yours.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine(AA)
    within your house;
your children(AB) will be like olive shoots(AC)
    around your table.
Yes, this will be the blessing(AD)
    for the man who fears the Lord.(AE)

May the Lord bless you from Zion;(AF)
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem(AG)
    all the days of your life.
May you live to see your children’s children—(AH)
    peace be on Israel.(AI)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 126:1 Or Lord brought back the captives to
  2. Psalm 126:1 Or those restored to health
  3. Psalm 126:4 Or Bring back our captives
  4. Psalm 127:2 Or eat— / for while they sleep he provides for