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To thee I lift up my eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden to the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until he shall have mercy upon us. 3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. 4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

PSALM 124.


A Song of degrees of David.

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; 2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: 3 Then they had swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us: 4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: 5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul hath escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

PSALM 125.


A Song of degrees.

They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surroundeth his people from henceforth even for ever. 3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands to iniquity. [1]
4 Do good, O LORD, to those that are good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. 5 As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

PSALM 126.


A Song of degrees.

When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. [2] 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. [3] 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; for which we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. [4] 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless return with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him . [5]

PSALM 127.


A Song of degrees for Solomon.

Except the LORD shall build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD shall keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain. [6] [7] 2 It is vain for you to rise early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. 3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. [8] [9]

PSALM 128.


A Song of degrees.

Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. 2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. 3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thy house: thy children like olive plants around thy table. 4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. 5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. 6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.

PSALM 129.


A Song of degrees.

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: [10] 2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. [11] 3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. 4 The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. 6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth before it groweth up: 7 With which the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. 8 Neither do they who go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

PSALM 130.

  1. the wicked: Heb. wickedness
  2. turned...: Heb. returned the returning
  3. hath...: Heb. hath magnified to do with them
  4. joy: or, singing
  5. precious...: or, seed basket
  6. for...: or, of Solomon
  7. that...: Heb. that are builders of it in it
  8. his...: Heb. filled his quiver with them
  9. speak...: or, subdue, or, destroy
  10. Many...: or, Much
  11. Many...: or, Much