When Brothers Dwell in Unity A Song of Ascents. Of David. 133 Behold, how good and pleasant it is     when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head,     running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron,     running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew…

The Lord Has Chosen Zion A Song of Ascents. 132 Remember, O Lord, in David’s favor,     all the hardships he endured, 2 how he swore to the Lord     and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, 3 “I will not enter my house     or get into my bed, 4 I will not give sleep to my eyes     or slumber…

I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul A Song of Ascents. Of David. 131 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;     my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things     too great and too marvelous for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,     like a weaned child with…

My Soul Waits for the Lord A Song of Ascents. 130 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! 2     O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive     to the voice of my pleas for mercy! 3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,     O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is…

They Have Afflicted Me from My Youth A Song of Ascents.   129 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”—     let Israel now say— 2 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth,     yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed upon my back;     they made long their furrows.” 4 The Lord is righteous;     he…

Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord A Song of Ascents.   128 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,     who walks in his ways! 2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;     you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine     within…

Unless the Lord Builds the House A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. 127 Unless 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. 2 It 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.…

Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord A Song of Ascents. 126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,     we were like those who dream. 2 Then 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.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us;     we are glad. 4 Restore our fortunes,…

The Lord Surrounds His People A Song of Ascents. 125 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,     which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,     so the Lord surrounds his people,     from this time forth and forevermore. 3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest     on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out     their hands to do wrong. 4 Do…

Our Help Is in the Name of the Lord A Song of Ascents. Of David. 124 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—     let Israel now say— 2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side     when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,     when their anger was kindled…