Psalms 137-139Longing for Zion in a Foreign Land137 By the rivers of Babylon,There we sat down, yea, we weptWhen we remembered Zion.2 We hung our harpsUpon the willows in the midst of it.3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song,And those who plundered us requested mirth,Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”4 How shall we sing the Lord’s songIn a foreign land?5 If I fo...  Read More

Psalms 135-136Praise to God in Creation and Redemption135 Praise the Lord!Praise the name of the Lord;Praise Him, O you servants of the Lord!2 You who stand in the house of the Lord,In the courts of the house of our God,3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself,Israel for His [a]special treasure.5 For I know tha...  Read More

Psalms 132-134The Eternal Dwelling of God in ZionA Song of Ascents.132 Lord, remember DavidAnd all his afflictions;2 How he swore to the Lord,And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:3 “Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house,Or go up to the comfort of my bed;4 I will not give sleep to my eyesOr slumber to my eyelids,5 Until I find a place for the Lord,A dwelling place for the Mighty One of ...  Read More

Psalm 129-131Song of Victory over Zion’s EnemiesA Song of Ascents.129 “Many a time they have afflicted[a] me from my youth,”Let Israel now say—2 “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth;Yet they have not prevailed against me.3 The plowers plowed on my back;They made their furrows long.”4 The Lord is righteous;He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked.5 Let all those who hate ZionBe put...  Read More

Psalms 126-128A Joyful Return to ZionA Song of Ascents.126 When the Lord brought back [a]the captivity of Zion,We were like those who dream.2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,And our tongue with singing.Then they said among the [b]nations,“The Lord has done great things for them.”3 The Lord has done great things for us,And we are glad.4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord,As the streams in the...  Read More

Psalms 123-125Prayer for Relief from ContemptA Song of Ascents.123 Unto You I lift up my eyes,O You who dwell in the heavens.2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,So our eyes look to the Lord our God,Until He has mercy on us.3 Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us!For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.4 Our ...  Read More