Zion’s Restoration

¹When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,[#126:1 Or returned those of Zion who had been captives]

we were like those who dream.

²Our mouths were filled with laughter then,[#126:2 Jb 8:21]

and our tongues with shouts of joy.

Then they said among the nations,

‘The Lord has done great things for them.’

³The Lord had done great things for us;

we were joyful.

⁴Restore our fortunes, Lord ,[#126:4 Or Return our captives]

like watercourses in the Negev.

⁵Those who sow in tears

will reap with shouts of joy.

⁶Though one goes along weeping,

carrying the bag of seed,

he will surely come back with shouts of joy,

carrying his sheaves.