Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
1 When the Lord restored(A) the fortunes of[a] Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.[b]
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,(B)
our tongues with songs of joy.(C)
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things(D) for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things(E) for us,
and we are filled with joy.(F)
2 Lord, I have heard(A) of your fame;
I stand in awe(B) of your deeds, Lord.(C)
Repeat(D) them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.(E)
3 God came from Teman,(F)
the Holy One(G) from Mount Paran.[a](H)
His glory covered the heavens(I)
and his praise filled the earth.(J)
4 His splendor was like the sunrise;(K)
rays flashed from his hand,
where his power(L) was hidden.
5 Plague(M) went before him;
pestilence followed his steps.
6 He stood, and shook the earth;
he looked, and made the nations tremble.
The ancient mountains crumbled(N)
and the age-old hills(O) collapsed(P)—
but he marches on forever.(Q)
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,(A) but I press on to take hold(B) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.(C) 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind(D) and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on(E) toward the goal to win the prize(F) for which God has called(G) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Following Paul’s Example
15 All of us, then, who are mature(H) should take such a view of things.(I) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.(J) 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
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