Study Desk

A song of ascents.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.^(a)

Jerusalem—the mountains surround her. And the Lord surrounds His people, both now and forever.^(b)

The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous will not apply their hands to injustice.^(c)

Do what is good, Lord , to the good, to those whose hearts are upright.^(d)

But as for those who turn aside to crooked ways, the Lord will banish them with the evildoers.^(e) Peace be with Israel.^(f)

A song of ascents.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,^[a] we were like those who dream.^(a)

Our mouths were filled with laughter then,^(b) and our tongues with shouts of joy.^(c) Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."^(d)

The Lord had done great things for us; we were joyful.^(e)

Restore our fortunes,^[b] Lord , like watercourses in the Negev.^(f)

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.^(g)

Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.^(h)

A Solomonic song of ascents.

Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain;^(a) unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.^(b)

In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food— yes, He gives sleep to the one He loves.^[a](c)

Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord , children, a reward.^(d)

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one's youth.^(e)

Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them.^(f) Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.^(g)

A song of ascents.

How happy is everyone who fears the Lord , who walks in His ways!^(a)

You will surely eat what your hands have worked for.^(b) You will be happy, and it will go well for you.^(c)

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, your sons, like young olive trees around your table.^(d)

In this very way the man who fears the Lord will be blessed.^(e)

May the Lord bless you from Zion, so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life^(f)

and will see your children's children! Peace be with Israel.^(g)

A song of ascents.

Since my youth they have often attacked me— let Israel say—

Since my youth they have often attacked me, but they have not prevailed against me.^(a)

Plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.^(b)

The Lord is righteous; He has cut the ropes of the wicked.^(c)

Let all who hate Zion be driven back in disgrace.^(d)

Let them be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it grows up^[a](e)

and can't even fill the hands of the reaper or the arms of the one who binds sheaves.^(f)

Then none who pass by will say, "May the Lord 's blessing be on you." We bless you in the name of Yahweh.^(g)

A song of ascents.

Out of the depths I call to You, Yahweh!^(a)

Lord, listen to my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my cry for help.^(b)

Yahweh, if You considered sins, Lord, who could stand?^(c)

But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be revered.^(d)

I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.^(e)

I wait for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.^(f)

Israel, put your hope in the Lord .^(g) For there is faithful love with the Lord , and with Him is redemption in abundance.^(h)

And He will redeem Israel from all its sins.⁽ⁱ⁾

A Davidic song of ascents.

Lord , my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty.^(a) I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me.^(b)

Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother; I am like a little child.^(c)

Israel, put your hope in the Lord , both now and forever.^(d)