Psalms 126

1A gradual canticle of Solomon. Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.

1A Song of the Ascents. In Jehovah's turning back <FI>to<Fi> the captivity of Zion, We have been as dreamers.

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

2It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved,

2Then filled <FI>with<Fi> laughter is our mouth, And our tongue <FI>with<Fi> singing, Then do they say among nations, `Jehovah did great things with these.'

2 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.

3Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.

3Jehovah did great things with us, We have been joyful.

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

4As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken.

4Turn again, O Jehovah, <FI>to<Fi> our captivity, As streams in the south.

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

5Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.

5Those sowing in tears, with singing do reap,

5 They that sow in tears shall reap with rejoicing:

6(not in this translation)

6Whoso goeth on and weepeth, Bearing the basket of seed, Surely cometh in with singing, bearing his sheaves!

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