If the Lord had not been on our side, *

let Israel now say;

If the Lord had not been on our side, *

when enemies rose up against us;

Then would they have swallowed us up alive *

in their fierce anger toward us;

Then would the waters have overwhelmed us *

and the torrent gone over us;

Then would the raging waters *

have gone right over us.

Blessed be the Lord! *

he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.

We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *

the snare is broken, and we have escaped.

Our help is in the Name of the Lord, *

the maker of heaven and earth.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, *

which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.

The hills stand about Jerusalem; *

so does the Lord stand round about his people,

from this time forth for evermore.

The scepter of the wicked shall not hold sway over the land allotted to the just, *

so that the just shall not put their hands to evil.

Show your goodness, O Lord, to those who are good *

and to those who are true of heart.

As for those who turn aside to crooked ways,

the Lord will lead them away with the evildoers; *

but peace be upon Israel.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *

then were we like those who dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *

and our tongue with shouts of joy.

Then they said among the nations, *

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us, *

and we are glad indeed.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, *

like the watercourses of the Negev.

Those who sowed with tears *

will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *

will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

Unless the Lord builds the house, *

their labor is in vain who build it.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, *

in vain the watchman keeps his vigil.

It is in vain that you rise so early and go to bed so late; *

vain, too, to eat the bread of toil,

for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Children are a heritage from the Lord, *

and the fruit of the womb is a gift.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior *

are the children of one’s youth.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them! *

he shall not be put to shame

when he contends with his enemies in the gate.