Psalm 126

*A Song of degrees.

1  When the Lord †aturned again the captivity of Zion,

bWe were like them that dream.

2  Then cwas our mouth filled with laughter,

And our tongue with singing:

Then said they among the heathen,

dThe Lord †hath done great things for them.

3  The Lord hath done great things for us;

Whereof we are glad.

4  Turn again our captivity, O Lord,

eAs the streams in fthe south.

5  gThey that sow in tears shall reap in ||joy.

6  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing ||hprecious seed,

Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 127

*A Song of degrees ||for Solomon.

1  Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain †that build it:

Except athe Lord keep the city, the watchman bwaketh but in vain.

2  It is vain for you cto drise up early, to dsit up celate,

To feat the bread of gsorrows:

For hso he giveth his ibeloved sleep.

3  Lo, kchildren are an heritage of the Lord:

And lthe fruit of the womb is his reward.

4  As arrows are in the hand of a mmighty man;

So are nchildren of the youth.

5  Happy is the man that †hath his quiver full of them:

oThey shall not be ashamed,

But they ||shall pspeak with the enemies in qthe gate.

Psalm 128

*A Song of degrees.

1  abBlessed is every one that feareth the Lord;

bThat walketh in his ways.

2  cFor thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:

Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be cwell with thee.

3  Thy wife shall be das a fruitful vine

eBy the sides of thine house:

Thy children flike olive plants

Round about thy table.

4  Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

5  gThe Lord shall bless thee ghout of Zion:

And thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem

All the days of thy life.

6  Yea, thou shalt isee kthy children’s children,

And lpeace upon Israel.