Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord

A Song of (A)Ascents.

126 When the Lord (B)restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who (C)dream.
Then our (D)mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    (E)“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negeb!
(F)Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.

126 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

A song for going up to the Temple.

126 It will be like a dream
    when the Lord comes back with the captives of Zion.[a]
We will laugh and sing happy songs!
    Then the other nations will say,
    “The Lord did a great thing for Zion!”
Yes, we will be happy
    because the Lord did a great thing for us.

So, Lord, bring back the good times,
    like a desert stream filled again with flowing water.
Then those who were sad when they planted
    will be happy when they gather the harvest!
Those who cried as they carried the seeds[b]
    will be happy when they bring in the crops!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 126:1 when … Zion Or “when the Lord restores Zion.” See “Zion” in the Word List.
  2. Psalm 126:6 carried the seeds Or “carried all their possessions.”