Psalms 126

1 “A song of the degrees.” When the Lord bringeth back again the captivity of Zion, then shall we be like dreamers.

A song of ascents. When the Lord turned the fortunes of Zion, we were like dreamers.

2 Then shall our mouth be filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then shall they say among the nations, Great things hath the Lord done for these.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, our tongue with glad shouts; then among the nations they said, “The Lord has dealt greatly with them.”

3 Great things would the Lord have done for us, [whereat] we should be joyful.

The Lord had dealt greatly with us, and we were rejoicing.

4 Bring back again, O Lord, our captivity, like rivulets in arid land.

Turn our fortunes, O Lord, as the streams in the Negreb.

5 Those that sow in tears shall reap with joyful song.

They who sow in tears shall reap with glad shouts.

6 He goeth forth indeed and weepeth, that beareth the seed for sowing; but he will surely come with joyful song when he beareth [home] his sheaves.

Forth they fare, with their burden of seed, and they weep as they go. But home, home, with glad shouts they shall come with their arms full of sheaves.