A Song of Degrees. Of Solomon
1 Except Jehovah build the house, In vain they labor that build it; Except Jehovah keep the city, In vain watcheth the watchman.
2 Vain is it for you early to hasten to rise, To go late to rest, To eat the bread of sorrows: For thus will he give to his beloved one sleep.
3 Lo! the heritage of Jehovah are children: The reward which he bestows is the fruit of the womb.
4 As arrows in the hand of a strong man, So are the sons of youth.
5 Blessed is the man who shall have filled his quiver with them; For they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 128
A Song of Degrees
1 Blessed is the man who feareth Jehovah, Who walketh in his ways.
2 The labor of thy hands when thou shalt eat thou shalt be blessed, And it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a vine fruitful on the sides of thy house: Thy children as plants of olives around thy table.
4 Lo! surely, thus blessed shall be the man who feareth Jehovah.
5 Bless thee shall Jehovah from Zion; And thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 And thou shalt see thy children’s children, And peace upon Israel.
Psalm 129
A Song of Degrees
1 “Often have they afflicted me from my youths” Say now let Israel:
2 “Often have they afflicted me from my youth; “Yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 “Upon my back ploughed have the ploughers; “They have made long their furrows.
4 “Jehovah, who is righteous, hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.”
5 Confounded and turned backward shall be all who hate Zion.
6 They shall be as the grass of the housetops, Which before it cometh forth is withered:
7 With which the mower hath not filled his hand, Nor his bosom he who gathereth handfuls.
8 Nor have they said who pass by, “The blessing of Jehovah be upon you, “We bless you in the name of Jehovah.”