Psalm 129 New International Version

A song of ascents.

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

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

Psalm 128 New International Version

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

¹ Blessed are all who fear the Lord,^(A)
    who walk in obedience to him.^(B)
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;^(C)
    blessings and prosperity^(D) will be yours.
³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine^(E)
    within your house;
your children^(F) will be like olive shoots^(G)
    around your table.
⁴ Yes, this will be the blessing^(H)
    for the man who fears the Lord.^(I)

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

Psalm 127 New International Version

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

¹ Unless 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.
² In 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)

³ Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward^(F) from him.
⁴ Like arrows^(G) in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
⁵ Blessed 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 126 New International Version

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)

⁴ Restore our fortunes,^[c](G) Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.^(H)
5 Those who sow with tears^(I)
    will reap^(J) with songs of joy.^(K)
6 Those who go out weeping,^(L)
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.