Today’s Reading
Psalms 126–128
These three psalms are Songs of Ascents — the pilgrim songs Israel sang climbing the road up to Jerusalem to worship. Psalm 126 opens with a nation remembering the day God turned their tears into laughter, then turns into a prayer for more of it: “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.” Psalm 127 hands you the real point underneath all of it — “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Psalm 128 closes the set with what a God-fearing life actually produces: a home, a table, generations.
Read this like a builder who’s tired. These are the words of men who worked hard and knew the outcome was never fully in their hands. If you’re pouring yourself into a church, a family, a body you’re trying to steward, or a mission that feels slow — ask as you go: where am I laboring like the house is mine to build, instead of laboring alongside the One who actually builds it?
Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord
A Song of Ascents.
126:1 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, O LORD,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Unless the Lord Builds the House
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
127:1 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.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
5 Blessed 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.
Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord
A Song of Ascents.
128:1 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 your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children’s children!
Peace be upon Israel!
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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