Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord

A Song of Ascents.

¹When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream.

²Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy;

then they said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

³The Lord has done great things for us;

we are glad.

⁴Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

like streams in the Negeb!

⁵Those who sow in tears

shall reap with shouts of joy!

⁶He who goes out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

bringing his sheaves with him.

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Unless the Lord Builds the House

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless the Lord builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

²It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives to his beloved sleep.

³Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

⁴Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children1 of one's youth.

⁵Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.2

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Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord

A Song of Ascents.

¹Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

who walks in his ways!

²You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

³Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house;

your children will be like olive shoots

around your table.

⁴Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

who fears the Lord.

⁵The Lord bless you from Zion!

May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life!

⁶May you see your children's children!

Peace be upon Israel!

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