| Psalm 126 | |||
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1
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When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, • | ||
| then were we like those who dream. | |||
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2
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Then was our mouth filled with laughter • | ||
| and our tongue with songs of joy. | |||
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3
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Then said they among the nations, • | ||
| 'The Lord has done great things for them.' | |||
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4
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The Lord has indeed done great things for us, • | ||
| and therefore we rejoiced. | |||
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5
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Restore again our fortunes, O Lord, • | ||
| as the river beds of the desert. | |||
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6
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Those who sow in tears • | ||
| shall reap with songs of joy. | |||
|
7
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Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed, • | ||
| will come back with shouts of joy, | |||
| bearing their sheaves with them. | |||
| Psalm 127 | |||
|
1
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Unless the Lord builds the house, • | ||
| those who build it labour in vain. | |||
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2
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Unless the Lord keeps the city, • | ||
| the guard keeps watch in vain. | |||
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3
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It is in vain that you hasten to rise up early | ||
| and go so late to rest, eating the bread of toil, • | |||
| for he gives his beloved sleep. | |||
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4
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Children are a heritage from the Lord • | ||
| and the fruit of the womb is his gift. | |||
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5
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Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, • | ||
| so are the children of one's youth. | |||
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6
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Happy are those who have their quiver full of them: • | ||
| they shall not be put to shame | |||
| when they dispute with their enemies in the gate. | |||
| Psalm 128 | |||
|
1
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Blessed are all those who fear the Lord, • | ||
| and walk in his ways. | |||
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2
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You shall eat the fruit of the toil of your hands; • | ||
| it shall go well with you, and happy shall you be. | |||
|
3
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Your wife within your house | ||
| shall be like a fruitful vine; • | |||
| your children round your table, | |||
| like fresh olive branches. | |||
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4
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Thus shall the one be blest • | ||
| who fears the Lord. | |||
|
5
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The Lord from out of Zion bless you, • | ||
| that you may see Jerusalem in prosperity | |||
| all the days of your life. | |||
|
6
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May you see your children's children, • | ||
| and may there be peace upon Israel. | |||
| Psalm 129 | |||
|
1
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'Many a time have they fought against me from my youth,' • | ||
| may Israel now say; | |||
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2
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'Many a time have they fought against me from my youth, • | ||
| but they have not prevailed against me.' | |||
|
3
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The ploughers ploughed upon my back • | ||
| and made their furrows long. | |||
|
4
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But the righteous Lord • | ||
| has cut the cords of the wicked in pieces. | |||
|
5
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Let them be put to shame and turned backwards, • | ||
| as many as are enemies of Zion. | |||
|
6
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Let them be like grass upon the housetops, • | ||
| which withers before it can grow, | |||
|
7
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So that no reaper can fill his hand, • | ||
| nor a binder of sheaves his bosom; | |||
|
8
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And none who go by may say, | ||
| 'The blessing of the Lord be upon you. • | |||
| We bless you in the name of the Lord.' | |||
| Psalm 130 | |||
|
1
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Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord; | ||
| Lord, hear my voice; • | |||
| let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication. | |||
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2
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If you, Lord, were to mark what is done amiss, • | ||
| O Lord, who could stand? | |||
|
3
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But there is forgiveness with you, • | ||
| so that you shall be feared. | |||
|
4
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I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; • | ||
| in his word is my hope. | |||
|
5
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My soul waits for the Lord, | ||
| more than the night watch for the morning, • | |||
| more than the night watch for the morning. | |||
|
6
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O Israel, wait for the Lord, • | ||
| for with the Lord there is mercy; | |||
|
7
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With him is plenteous redemption • | ||
| and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins. | |||