UNROLL
A small poor company with donkeys stopped on a ridge road, arms lifted and laughing, Jerusalem's broken walls far off on its hill under a calm sky.

Song of ascents

Psalm 126

For when God did it once, you remember the laughter, and you need Him to do it again.

6 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

  1. 1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
  2. 42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
  3. 73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
  4. 90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
  5. 107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last HallelujahPsalm 126

Zion’s Captives Restored

A song of ascents.

When the LORD restored the captives of Zion,

we were like dreamers.

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.”

The LORD has done great things for us;

we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126:1–3

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

A wide Negev wadi after distant rain, a sheet of fast clear-brown water spreading between pale banks with the first green along its edge.

Restore our captives, O LORD,

like streams in the Negev.

A thin man in a worn tunic walks a stony plowed strip in gray morning, a small seed bag at his side, his arm out scattering seed, his wet face lowered.

Those who sow in tears

will reap with shouts of joy.

He who goes out weeping,

bearing a trail of seed,

will surely return with shouts of joy,

carrying sheaves of grain.

You’ve experienced

Psalm 126

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

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

Psalm 126:5

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