Psalm 125-130

New International Version

Psalm 125

A song of ascents.

¹Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,^(A)
    which cannot be shaken^(B) but endures forever.
²As the mountains surround Jerusalem,^(C)
    so the Lord surrounds^(D) his people
    both now and forevermore.

³The scepter^(E) of the wicked will not remain^(F)
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.^(G)

⁴Lord, do good^(H) to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.^(I)
⁵But those who turn^(J) to crooked ways^(K)
the Lord will banish^(L) with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.^(M)

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

¹When the Lord restored^(N) the fortunes of^[a] Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.^[b]
²Our mouths were filled with laughter,^(O)
    our tongues with songs of joy.^(P)
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things^(Q) for them.”
³The Lord has done great things^(R) for us,
    and we are filled with joy.^(S)

⁴Restore our fortunes,^[c]^(T) Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.^(U)
⁵Those who sow with tears^(V)
    will reap^(W) with songs of joy.^(X)
⁶Those who go out weeping,^(Y)
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless the Lord builds^(Z) the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches^(AA) over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
²In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food^(AB) to eat—
    for he grants sleep^(AC) to^[d] those he loves.^(AD)

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

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

¹Blessed are all who fear the Lord,^(AJ)
    who walk in obedience to him.^(AK)
²You will eat the fruit of your labor;^(AL)
    blessings and prosperity^(AM) will be yours.
³Your wife will be like a fruitful vine^(AN)
    within your house;
your children^(AO) will be like olive shoots^(AP)
    around your table.
⁴Yes, this will be the blessing^(AQ)
    for the man who fears the Lord.^(AR)

⁵May the Lord bless you from Zion;^(AS)
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem^(AT)
    all the days of your life.
⁶May you live to see your children’s children—^(AU)
    peace be on Israel.^(AV)

Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

¹“They have greatly oppressed^(AW) me from my youth,”^(AX)
    let Israel say;^(AY)
²“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory^(AZ) over me.
³Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
⁴But the Lord is righteous;^(BA)
    he has cut me free^(BB) from the cords of the wicked.”^(BC)

⁵May all who hate Zion^(BD)
    be turned back in shame.^(BE)
⁶May they be like grass on the roof,^(BF)
    which withers^(BG) before it can grow;
⁷a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,^(BH)
    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^(BI) in the name of the Lord.”

Psalm 130

A song of ascents.

¹Out of the depths^(BJ) I cry to you,^(BK) Lord;
² Lord, hear my voice.^(BL)
Let your ears be attentive^(BM)
to my cry for mercy.^(BN)

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

⁵I wait for the Lord,^(BR) my whole being waits,^(BS)
    and in his word^(BT) I put my hope.
⁶I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen^(BU) wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.^(BV)

⁷Israel, put your hope^(BW) in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love^(BX)
    and with him is full redemption.^(BY)
⁸He himself will redeem^(BZ) Israel
    from all their sins.^(CA)