PSALM 127

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the Lord builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord 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 toil;

for* he gives to his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, sons are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the sons of one’s youth.

5 Happy is the man who has

his quiver full of them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

PSALM 128

A Song of Ascents.

1 Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,

who walks in his ways!

2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;

you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house;

your children will be like olive shoots

around your table.

4 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed

who fears the Lord.

5 The Lord bless you from Zion!

May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life!

6 May you see your children’s children!

Peace be upon Israel!

PSALM 129

A Song of Ascents.

1 “Sorely have they afflicted me from my youth,”

let Israel now say—

2 “Sorely have they afflicted me from my youth,

yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back;

they made long their furrows.”

4 The Lord is righteous;

he has cut the cords of the wicked.

5 May all who hate Zion

be put to shame and turned backward!

6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops,

which withers before it grows up,

7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand

or the binder of sheaves his bosom,

8 while those who pass by do not say,

“The blessing of the Lord be upon you!

We bless you in the name of the Lord!”