A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

    Unless the LORD builds the house,
        those who build it labor in vain.
    Unless the LORD watches over the city,
        the watchman stays awake in vain.
    It is in vain that you rise up early
        and go late to rest,
    eating the bread of anxious toil;
        for he gives to his beloved sleep.
    
    
    Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
        the fruit of the womb a reward.
    Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
        are the children of one’s youth.
    Blessed is the man
        who fills his quiver with them!
    He shall not be put to shame
        when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
    
    
    A Song of Ascents.

    Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
        who walks in his ways!
    You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
        you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
    
    
    Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
        within your house;
    your children will be like olive shoots
        around your table.
    Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
        who fears the LORD.
    
    
    The LORD bless you from Zion!
        May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
        all the days of your life!
    May you see your children’s children!
        Peace be upon Israel!
    
    
    A Song of Ascents.

    “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”—
        let Israel now say—
    “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth,
        yet they have not prevailed against me.
    The plowers plowed upon my back;
        they made long their furrows.”
    The LORD is righteous;
        he has cut the cords of the wicked.
    May all who hate Zion
        be put to shame and turned backward!
    Let them be like the grass on the housetops,
        which withers before it grows up,
    with which the reaper does not fill his hand
        nor the binder of sheaves his arms,
    nor do those who pass by say,
        “The blessing of the LORD be upon you!
        We bless you in the name of the LORD!”
    
    
    A Song of Ascents.

    Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!
        O Lord, hear my voice!
    Let your ears be attentive
        to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
    
    
    If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
        O Lord, who could stand?
    But with you there is forgiveness,
        that you may be feared.
    
    
    I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
        and in his word I hope;
    my soul waits for the Lord
        more than watchmen for the morning,
        more than watchmen for the morning.
    
    
    O Israel, hope in the LORD!
        For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
        and with him is plentiful redemption.
    And he will redeem Israel
        from all his iniquities. (ESV)