Psa 126 | HCSB | STEP | A song of ascents . When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion , we were like those who dream .

Psalms 126

Zion’s Restoration

1 A ^{▼▼song of ascents: Probably the songs pilgrims sang as they traveled the roads going up to worship in Jerusalem; Pss 120-134}song of ascents.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of ^{▼▼Zion: Originally a term for the fortified section of Jerusalem and then, by extension, used for the temple and the city of Jerusalem both in the present time and in the future}Zion, ^{▼▼Or Lord returned those of Zion who had been captives}
we were like those who dream. ^d
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter then, ^e
and our tongues with shouts of joy. ^f
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.” ^g
3 The Lord had done great things for us;
we were joyful. ^h

4 Restore our fortunes, ^{▼▼Or Return our captives} Lord,
like watercourses in the ^{▼▼Negev: An >arid region in the southern part of Israel; the Hebrew word means "south".}Negev. ^k
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with shouts of joy. ^l
6 Though one goes along weeping,
carrying the bag of seed,
he will surely come back with shouts of joy,
carrying his sheaves. ^m