Psalms 126

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

A song for pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. When the Lord brought his people back from captivity to Zion, it was as if we were dreaming!

2 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.’

We laughed so much, we sang for joy. The other nations said, “The Lord has done wonderful things for these people.”

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

The Lord certainly has done wonderful things for us. How happy we were!

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

Please return and help us again, Lord. Renew us like streams of water that renew the Negev desert.

5 They who sow in tears shall reap with glad shouts.

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy!

6 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.

Those who weep as they go out to sow their seed will be singing in celebration when they carry the harvest home.