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Psalm 127-129
Contemporary English Version
Psalm 127-129
Contemporary English Version
(A song by Solomon for worship.)
Only the Lord Can Bless a Home
1 Without the help of the Lord
it is useless to build a home
or to guard a city.
2 It is useless to get up early
and stay up late
in order to earn a living.
God takes care of his own,
even while they sleep.[a]
3 Children are a blessing
and a gift from the Lord.
4 Having a lot of children
to take care of you
in your old age
is like a warrior
with a lot of arrows.
5 The more you have,
the better off you will be,
because they will protect you
when your enemies
attack you in court.
(A song for worship.)
The Lord Rewards His Faithful People
1 The Lord will bless you
if you respect him
and obey his laws.
2 Your fields will produce,
and you will be happy—
all will go well.
3 Your wife will be as fruitful
as a grapevine,
and just as an olive tree
is rich with olives,
your home will be rich
with healthy children.
4 This is how the Lord will bless
everyone who respects him.
5 I pray that the Lord
will bless you from Zion
and let Jerusalem prosper
as long as you live.
6 May you live long enough
to see your grandchildren.
Let's pray for peace in Israel!
(A song for worship.)
A Prayer for Protection
1 Since the time I was young,
enemies have often attacked!
Let everyone in Israel say:
2 “Since the time I was young,
enemies have often attacked!
But they have not defeated me,
3 though my back is like a field
that has just been plowed.”
4 The Lord always does right,
and he has set me free
from the ropes
of those cruel people.
5 I pray that all who hate
the city of Zion
will be made ashamed
and forced to turn and run.
6 May they be like grass
on the flat roof of a house,
grass that dries up
as soon as it sprouts.
7 Don't let them be like wheat
gathered in bundles.
8 And don't let anyone
who passes by say to them,
“The Lord bless you!
I give you my blessing
in the name of the Lord.”
Footnotes
- 127.2 God … sleep: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Psalm 127-129
New International Version
Psalm 127-129
New International Version
Psalm 127
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the Lord builds(A) the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches(B) over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food(C) to eat—
for he grants sleep(D) to[a] those he loves.(E)
3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward(F) from him.
4 Like arrows(G) in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.(H)
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents(I) in court.(J)
Psalm 128
A song of ascents.
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,(K)
who walk in obedience to him.(L)
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;(M)
blessings and prosperity(N) will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine(O)
within your house;
your children(P) will be like olive shoots(Q)
around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing(R)
for the man who fears the Lord.(S)
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion;(T)
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem(U)
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children—(V)
peace be on Israel.(W)
Psalm 129
A song of ascents.
1 “They have greatly oppressed(X) me from my youth,”(Y)
let Israel say;(Z)
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory(AA) over me.
3 Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.
4 But the Lord is righteous;(AB)
he has cut me free(AC) from the cords of the wicked.”(AD)
5 May all who hate Zion(AE)
be turned back in shame.(AF)
6 May they be like grass on the roof,(AG)
which withers(AH) before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,(AI)
nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them,
“The blessing of the Lord be on you;
we bless you(AJ) in the name of the Lord.”
Footnotes
- Psalm 127:2 Or eat— / for while they sleep he provides for
Contemporary English Version (CEV) 
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New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.