Day Fifty-Four Reading – Psalms 126-131
Psalms 126
1 A Song of Ascents. When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing: Then said they among the nations, Jehovah hath done great things for them.
3 Jehovah hath done great things for us, Whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O Jehovah, As the streams in the South.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalms 127
1 A Song of Ascents; of Solomon. Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; For so he giveth unto his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; And the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Psalms 128
1 A Song of Ascents. Blessed is every one that feareth Jehovah, That walketh in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands: Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, In the innermost parts of thy house; Thy children like olive plants, Round about thy table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed That feareth Jehovah.
5 Jehovah bless thee out of Zion: And see thou the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 Yea, see thou thy children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.
Psalms 129
1 A Song of Ascents. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up, Let Israel now say,
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up: Yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back; They made long their furrows.
4 Jehovah is righteous: He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5 Let them be put to shame and turned backward, All they that hate Zion.
6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, Which withereth before it groweth up;
7 Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
8 Neither do they that go by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; We bless you in the name of Jehovah.
Psalms 130
1 A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Jehovah.
2 Lord, hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.
3 If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared.
5 I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord More than watchmen wait for the morning; Yea, more than watchmen for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in Jehovah; For with Jehovah there is lovingkindness, And with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel From all his iniquities.
Psalms 131
1 A Song of Ascents; of David. Jehovah, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, Or in things too wonderful for me.
2 Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child with his mother, Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore.
American Standard Version (ASV): Public Domain