Psalm 125-127
English Standard Version
The Lord Surrounds His People
A Song of (A)Ascents.
125 Those who (B)trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which (C)cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so (D)the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For (E)the scepter of wickedness shall not (F)rest
on (G)the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous (H)stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 (I)Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are (J)upright in their hearts!
5 But those who (K)turn aside to their (L)crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with (M)evildoers!
(N)Peace be upon Israel!
Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord
A Song of (O)Ascents.
126 When the Lord (P)restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who (Q)dream.
2 Then our (R)mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
(S)“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 (T)Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Unless the Lord Builds the House
A Song of (U)Ascents. Of Solomon.
127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord (V)watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious (W)toil;
for he gives to his (X)beloved (Y)sleep.
3 Behold, (Z)children are a heritage from the Lord,
(AA)the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of (AB)a warrior
are the children[a] of one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies (AC)in the gate.[b]
Footnotes
- Psalm 127:4 Or sons
- Psalm 127:5 Or They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.