PSALM 126

Thanksgiving for Return from Captivity.

A Song of Ascents.

1When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion,

We were like those who dream.

2Then our mouth was filled with laughter

And our tongue with joyful shouting;

Then they said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3The Lord has done great things for us;

We are glad.

4Restore our captivity, O Lord,

As the streams in the South.

5Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.

6He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,

Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

PSALM 127

Prosperity Comes from the Lord.

A Song of Ascents, of Solomon.

1Unless the Lord builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the Lord guards the city,

The watchman keeps awake in vain.

2It is vain for you to rise up early,

To retire late,

To eat the bread of painful labors;

For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

3Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one’s youth.

5How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;

They will not be ashamed

When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

PSALM 128

Blessedness of the Fear of the Lord.

A Song of Ascents.

1How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.

2When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,

You will be happy and it will be well with you.

3Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

Within your house,

Your children like olive plants

Around your table.

4Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed

Who fears the Lord.

5The Lord bless you from Zion,

And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

6Indeed, may you see your children’s children.

Peace be upon Israel!

PSALM 129

Prayer for the Overthrow of Zion’s Enemies.

A Song of Ascents.

1“Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up,”

Let Israel now say,

2“Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up;

Yet they have not prevailed against me.

3The plowers plowed upon my back;

They lengthened their furrows.”

4The Lord is righteous;

He has cut in two the cords of the wicked.

5May all who hate Zion

Be put to shame and turned backward;

6Let them be like grass upon the housetops,

Which withers before it grows up;

7With which the reaper does not fill his hand,

Or the binder of sheaves his bosom;

8Nor do those who pass by say,

“The blessing of the Lord be upon you;

We bless you in the name of the Lord.”

PSALM 130

Hope in the Lord’s Forgiving Love.

A Song of Ascents.

1Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord.

2Lord, hear my voice!

Let Your ears be attentive

To the voice of my supplications.

3If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

4But there is forgiveness with You,

That You may be feared.

5I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,

And in His word do I hope.

6My soul waits for the Lord

More than the watchmen for the morning;

Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.

7O Israel, hope in the Lord;

For with the Lord there is lovingkindness,

And with Him is abundant redemption.

8And He will redeem Israel

From all his iniquities.