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A Song of degrees. Of David.

124 If it had not been Jehovah who was for us—oh let Israel say—

If it had not been Jehovah who was for us, when men rose up against us,

Then they had swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;

Then the waters had overwhelmed us, a torrent had gone over our soul;

Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

Blessed be Jehovah, who gave us not up a prey to their teeth!

Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of Jehovah, the maker of heavens and earth.

A Song of degrees.

125 They that confide in Jehovah are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved; it abideth for ever.

Jerusalem!—mountains are round about her, and Jehovah is round about his people, from henceforth and for evermore.

For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

Do good, O Jehovah, unto the good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, Jehovah will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel!

A Song of degrees.

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

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing: then said they among the nations, Jehovah hath done great things for them.

Jehovah hath done great things for us; [and] we are joyful.

Turn our captivity, O Jehovah, as the streams in the south.

They that sow in tears shall reap with rejoicing:

He goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for scattering; he cometh again with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves.

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David.

If the Lord had not been on our side—
    let Israel say(A)
if the Lord had not been on our side
    when people attacked us,
they would have swallowed us alive
    when their anger flared against us;
the flood(B) would have engulfed us,
    the torrent(C) would have swept over us,
the raging waters
    would have swept us away.

Praise be to the Lord,
    who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
    from the fowler’s snare;(D)
the snare has been broken,(E)
    and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name(F) of the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven(G) and earth.

Psalm 125

A song of ascents.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,(H)
    which cannot be shaken(I) but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,(J)
    so the Lord surrounds(K) his people
    both now and forevermore.

The scepter(L) of the wicked will not remain(M)
    over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
    their hands to do evil.(N)

Lord, do good(O) to those who are good,
    to those who are upright in heart.(P)
But those who turn(Q) to crooked ways(R)
    the Lord will banish(S) with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.(T)

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

When the Lord restored(U) the fortunes of[a] Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.[b]
Our mouths were filled with laughter,(V)
    our tongues with songs of joy.(W)
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things(X) for them.”
The Lord has done great things(Y) for us,
    and we are filled with joy.(Z)

Restore our fortunes,[c](AA) Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.(AB)
Those who sow with tears(AC)
    will reap(AD) with songs of joy.(AE)
Those who go out weeping,(AF)
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 126:1 Or Lord brought back the captives to
  2. Psalm 126:1 Or those restored to health
  3. Psalm 126:4 Or Bring back our captives