Psalms 126

Celebrating the Harvest

[A Song of the going up.]
1 When the Lord made a change in Zion's fate, we were like men in a dream.
2 Then our mouths were full of laughing, and our tongues gave a glad cry; they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them.
3 The Lord has done great things for us; because of which we are glad.
4 Let our fate be changed, O Lord, like the streams in the South.
5 Those who put in seed with weeping will get in the grain with cries of joy.
6 Though a man may go out weeping, taking his vessel of seed with him; he will come again in joy, with the corded stems of grain in his arms.

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Psalms 127

Only the Lord Can Bless a Home

[A Song of the going up. Of Solomon.]
1 If the Lord is not helping the builders, then the building of a house is to no purpose: if the Lord does not keep the town, the watchman keeps his watch for nothing.
2 It is of no use for you to get up early, and to go late to your rest, with the bread of sorrow for your food; for the Lord gives to his loved ones in sleep.
3 See, sons are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the body is his reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a man of war, are the children of the young.
5 Happy is the man who has a good store of them; he will not be put to shame, but his cause will be supported by them against his haters.

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Psalms 128

The Lord Rewards His Faithful People

[A Song of the going up.]
1 Happy is the worshipper of the Lord, who is walking in his ways.
2 You will have the fruit of the work of your hands: happy will you be, and all will be well for you.
3 Your wife will be like a fertile vine in the inmost parts of your house: your children will be like olive plants round your table.
4 See! this is the blessing of the worshipper of the Lord.
5 May the Lord send you blessing out of Zion: may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 May you see your children's children. Peace be on Israel.

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Psalms 129

A Prayer for Protection

[A Song of the going up.]
1 Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young (let Israel now say);
2 Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young, but my troubles have not overcome me.
3 The ploughmen were ploughing on my back; long were the wounds they made.
4 The Lord is true: the cords of the evil-doers are broken in two.
5 Let all the haters of Zion be shamed and turned back.
6 Let them be like the grass on the house-tops, which is dry before it comes to full growth.
7 He who gets in the grain has no use for it; and they do not make bands of it for the grain-stems.
8 And those who go by do not say, The blessing of the Lord be on you; we give you blessing in the name of the Lord.

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Psalms 130

Trusting the Lord in Time of Trouble

[A Song of the going up.]
1 Out of the deep have I sent up my cry to you, O Lord.
2 Lord, let my voice come before you: let your ears be awake to the voice of my prayer.
3 O Jah, if you took note of every sin, who would go free?
4 But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be feared.
5 I am waiting for the Lord, my soul is waiting for him, and my hope is in his word.
6 My soul is watching for the Lord more than those who are watching for the morning; yes, more than the watchers for the morning.
7 O Israel, have hope in the Lord; for with the Lord is mercy and full salvation.
8 And he will make Israel free from all his sins.

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