Psalm 127-130

New International Version

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless the Lord builds^(A) the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches^(B) over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
²In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food^(C) to eat—
    for he grants sleep^(D) to^[a] those he loves.^(E)

³Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward^(F) from him.
⁴Like arrows^(G) in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
⁵Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.^(H)
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents^(I) in court.^(J)

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

¹Blessed are all who fear the Lord,^(K)
    who walk in obedience to him.^(L)
²You will eat the fruit of your labor;^(M)
    blessings and prosperity^(N) will be yours.
³Your wife will be like a fruitful vine^(O)
    within your house;
your children^(P) will be like olive shoots^(Q)
    around your table.
⁴Yes, this will be the blessing^(R)
    for the man who fears the Lord.^(S)

⁵May the Lord bless you from Zion;^(T)
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem^(U)
    all the days of your life.
⁶May you live to see your children’s children—^(V)
    peace be on Israel.^(W)

Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

¹“They have greatly oppressed^(X) me from my youth,”^(Y)
    let Israel say;^(Z)
²“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory^(AA) over me.
³Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
⁴But the Lord is righteous;^(AB)
    he has cut me free^(AC) from the cords of the wicked.”^(AD)

⁵May all who hate Zion^(AE)
    be turned back in shame.^(AF)
⁶May they be like grass on the roof,^(AG)
    which withers^(AH) before it can grow;
⁷a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,^(AI)
    nor one who gathers fill his arms.
⁸May those who pass by not say to them,
    “The blessing of the Lord be on you;
    we bless you^(AJ) in the name of the Lord.”

Psalm 130

A song of ascents.

¹Out of the depths^(AK) I cry to you,^(AL) Lord;
² Lord, hear my voice.^(AM)
Let your ears be attentive^(AN)
to my cry for mercy.^(AO)

³If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?^(AP)
⁴But with you there is forgiveness,^(AQ)
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.^(AR)

⁵I wait for the Lord,^(AS) my whole being waits,^(AT)
    and in his word^(AU) I put my hope.
⁶I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen^(AV) wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.^(AW)

⁷Israel, put your hope^(AX) in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love^(AY)
    and with him is full redemption.^(AZ)
⁸He himself will redeem^(BA) Israel
    from all their sins.^(BB)