Psalms 126

1 A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.

When Yahweh brought [us Israeli people] back to Jerusalem (OR, enabled us Israelis to prosper again), [it was wonderful]; it seemed as though [SIM] we were dreaming.

2 Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

We were extremely happy, and we [SYN] continued shouting joyfully. Then the [other] people-groups said about us, “Yahweh has done great things for them!”

3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

[And we say, “Yes], Yahweh [truly] has done great things for us, and we are [very] happy.”

4 Restore our captives, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.

Yahweh, when it rains, water flows in the streams again [after they were dry] [SIM]. Similarly, enable our nation to become great again like it was before.

5 Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.

We cried when we planted [seeds because it was hard work preparing the soil that had not been plowed for many years]; [now we want to] shout joyfully because we are gathering a [big] harvest.

6 He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.

Those who cried as they carried the [bags of] seeds [to the fields] will shout joyfully when they bring the crops [to their houses at harvest time].