Psalm 123:1-126:6

Psalm 123 1A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.

2As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy.

3Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt. 4We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud.

Psalm 124 1A song of ascents. Of David. If the LORD had not been on our side— let Israel say—

2if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us,

3they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us;

4the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us,

5the raging waters would have swept us away.

6Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. 8Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 125 1A song of ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

2As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

3The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.

4LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. 5But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be on Israel.

Psalm 126 1A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Or Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Or those restored to health

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

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

4Restore our fortunes, Or Bring back our captives LORD, like streams in the Negev.

5Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.