Psalm 126:4-6

Restore our fortunes, LORD,

    as streams renew the desert.

Those who plant in tears

    will harvest with shouts of joy.

They weep as they plant their seed,

    but they sing as they return with the harvest. 

 

Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert.

Psalm 107:35 

But he also turns deserts into pools of water,

    the dry land into springs of water.  (see Psalm 107:33-43)

Isaiah 35:7  

The parched ground will become a pool,

    and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.

Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish

    where desert jackals once lived.  (see all Isaiah 35)

Isaiah 43:19-20  

"For I am about to do something new.

    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

The wild animals in the fields will thank me,

    the jackals and owls, too,

    for giving them water in the desert.

Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland

    so my chosen people can be refreshed."  (see Isaiah 43:14-44:5)

Isaiah 51:3  

The LORD will comfort Israel again

    and have pity on her ruins.

Her desert will blossom like Eden,

    her barren wilderness like the garden of the LORD.

Joy and gladness will be found there.

    Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.  (see all Isaiah 51)

 

Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest."  

Genesis 8:21-22  

And the LORD was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, "I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things. As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night."  (see all Genesis 8)

Jeremiah 50:4  

"In those coming days,"

    says the LORD,

"the people of Israel will return home

    together with the people of Judah.

They will come weeping

    and seeking the LORD their God."  (see Jeremiah 50:1-10)

Isaiah 35:10  

Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return.

    They will enter Jerusalem singing,

    crowned with everlasting joy.

Sorrow and mourning will disappear,

    and they will be filled with joy and gladness.  (see all Isaiah 35)

Jeremiah 31:12  

"They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem.

    They will be radiant because of the LORD's good gifts--

the abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil,

    and the healthy flocks and herds.

Their life will be like a watered garden,

    and all their sorrows will be gone."  (see all Jeremiah 31)

Psalm 107:37  

They sow their fields, plant their vineyards,

    and harvest their bumper crops.  (see Psalm 107:13-15)

Deuteronomy 16:15  

"For seven days you must celebrate this festival to honor the LORD your God at the place he chooses, for it is he who blesses you with bountiful harvests and gives you success in all your work. This festival will be a time of great joy for all."  (see Deuteronomy 16:13-15) 

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

    

Psalm 126:1-3

When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,

    it was like a dream!

We were filled with laughter,

    and we sang for joy.

And the other nations said,

    "What amazing things the LORD has done for them."

Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us!

    What joy!

 

When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!

Jeremiah 29:14 

"I will be found by you," says the LORD. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."  (see all Jeremiah 29)

Ezra 1:3  

"Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judea to rebuild this Temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you!"  (see all Ezra 1)

Jeremiah 30:18  

This is what the LORD says:

"When I bring captive Israel home again from captivity

    and restore their fortunes,

Jerusalem will be rebuilt on its ruins,

    and the palace reconstructed as before."  (see all Jeremiah 30)

 

We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.  

Genesis 21:6  

    And Sarah declared, "God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me."  (see Genesis 21:1-7)

Job 8:21  

"He will once again fill your mouth with laughter

    and your lips with shouts of joy."  (see all Job 8)

 

And the other nations said, "What amazing things the LORD has done for them."  

Deuteronomy 10:21  

"He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes."  (see Deuteronomy 10:12-22)

Psalm 65:8  

Those who live at the ends of the earth

    stand in awe of your wonders.

From where the sun rises to where it sets,

    you inspire shouts of joy.  (see all Psalm 65)

Psalm 71:19  

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens,

    You have done such wonderful things.

    Who can compare with you, O God?  (see all Psalm 71)

 

Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy!  

Isaiah 25:9  

In that day the people will proclaim,

"This is our God!

    We trusted in him and he saved us!

This is the LORD, in whom we trusted.

    Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!"  (see all Isaiah 25)

Joel 2:21  

    Don't be afraid, O land.

Be glad now and rejoice,

    for the LORD has done great things.  (see Joel 2:12-32)

Psalm 9:1-2  

I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;

    I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

I will be filled with joy because of you.

    I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.  (see all Psalm 9)  

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

   

Psalm 125:1-5 Part 3 of 3

But banish those who turn to wicked ways, O LORD.

    Take them away with those who do evil.

May Israel have peace! 

 

But banish those who turn to wicked ways, O LORD. Take them away with those who do evil.

Psalm 92:6-7 

Only a simpleton would not know,

    and only a fool would not understand this: 

Though the wicked sprout like weeds

    and evildoers flourish,

    they will be destroyed forever.  (see all Psalm 92)

Proverbs 2:12-15  

Wisdom will save you from evil people,

    from those whose words are twisted.

These men turn from the right way 

    to walk down dark paths.

They take pleasure in doing wrong,

    and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil.

Their actions are crooked,

    and their ways are wrong.  (see all Proverbs 2)

Isaiah 59:4-8  

No one cares about being fair and honest.

    The people's lawsuits are based on lies.

They conceive evil deeds

    and then give birth to sin.

They hatch deadly snakes

    and weave spiders' webs.

Whoever eats their eggs will die;

    whoever cracks them will hatch a viper.

Their webs can't be made into clothing,

    and nothing they do is productive.

All their activity is filled with sin,

    and violence is their trademark.

Their feet run to do evil,

    and they rush to commit murder.

They think only about sinning.

    Misery and destruction always follow them.

They don't know where to find peace

    or what it means to be just and good.

They have mapped out crooked roads,

    and no one who follows them knows a moment's peace.  

    (see all Isaiah 59)

 

May Israel have peace!  

Psalm 128:6  

May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.

    May Israel have peace!  (see all Psalm 128)

Galatians 6:16  

May God's peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.  (see Galatians 6:14-16)  

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

   

Psalm 125:1-5 Part 2 of 3

The wicked will not rule the land of the godly,

    for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.

O LORD, do good to those who are good,

    whose hearts are in tune with you.

 

The wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.

1 Samuel 24:9-10 

    Then he shouted to Saul, "Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn't true. For the LORD placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, 'I will never harm the king--he is the LORD's anointed one.' "  (see all 1 Samuel 24)

Esther 4:11  

"All the king's officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days."  (see all Esther 4)

Psalm 89:22  

His enemies will not defeat him,

    nor will the wicked overpower him.  (see all Psalm 89)

Proverbs 22:8  

Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,

    and their reign of terror will come to an end. 

Isaiah 13:11  

"I, the LORD, will punish the world for its evils

    and the wicked for their sin.

I will crush the arrogance of the proud

    and humble the pride of the mighty."  (see all Isaiah 13)

Isaiah 14:5  

"For the LORD has crushed your wicked power

    and broken your evil rule."  (see all Isaiah 14)

 

O LORD, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you.  

Psalm 7:10  

God is my shield,

    saving those whose hearts are true and right.  (see all Psalm 7)

Psalm 36:10  

Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you;

    give justice to those with honest hearts.  (see all Psalm 36)

Job 23:11  

"For I have stayed on God's paths;

    I have followed his ways and not turned aside."  (see all Job 23)

Psalm 94:15  

Judgment will again be founded on justice,

    and those with virtuous hearts will pursue it.  (see all Psalm 94)

Psalm 119:65  

You have done many good things for me, LORD, 

    just as you promised.

Psalm 119:68  

You are good and only do good;

    teach me your decrees.  (see Psalm 119:65-72)

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

   

Psalm 125:1-5 Part 1 of 3

Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;

    they will not be defeated but will endure forever.

Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,

    so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.

 

Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.

Psalm 46:5 

God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.

    From the very break of day, God will protect it.  (see all Psalm 46)

Psalm 48:11-14  

Let the people on Mount Zion rejoice.

    Let all the towns of Judah be glad

    because of your justice.

Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem.

    Walk around and count the many towers.

Take note of the fortified walls,

    and tour all the citadels,

that you may describe them

    to future generations.

For that is what God is like.

    He is our God forever and ever,

    and he will guide us until we die.  (see all Psalm 48)

Isaiah 33:20  

Instead, you will see Zion as a place of holy festivals.

    You will see Jerusalem, a city quiet and secure.

It will be like a tent whose ropes are taut

    and whose stakes are firmly fixed.  (see all Isaiah 33)

 

Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.  

Psalm 121:7-8  

The LORD keeps you from all harm

    and watches over your life.

The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go,

    both now and forever.  (see all Psalm 121)

Zechariah 2:5  

    " 'Then I, myself, will be a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem, says the LORD. And I will be the glory inside the city!' "  (see all Zechariah 2)

Psalm 32:10-11  

Many sorrows come to the wicked,

    but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.

So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!

    Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!  (see all Psalm 32)  

 

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

   

Psalm 124:1-8 Part 4 of 4

What if the LORD had not been on our side?

    Let all Israel repeat:

What if the LORD had not been on our side

    when people attacked us?

They would have swallowed us alive

    in their burning anger.

The waters would have engulfed us;

    a torrent would have overwhelmed us.

Yes, the raging waters of their fury

    would have overwhelmed our very lives.

 

Praise the LORD,

    who did not let their teeth tear us apart!

We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap.

    The trap is broken, and we are free!

Our help is from the LORD,

    who made heaven and earth. 

 

Our help is from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Genesis 1:1 

    In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  

    (see all Genesis 1)

Psalm 121:2  

My help comes from the LORD,

    who made heaven and earth!  (see all Psalm 121)

Psalm 115:15  

May you be blessed by the LORD,

    who made heaven and earth.  (see all Psalm 115)

Psalm 134:3  

May the LORD, who made heaven and earth,

    bless you from Jerusalem.  (see all Psalm 134)

Hebrews 11:32-34  

    How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.  (see all Hebrews 11) 

 

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

   

Psalm 124:1-8 Part 3 of 4

What if the LORD had not been on our side?

    Let all Israel repeat:

What if the LORD had not been on our side

    when people attacked us?

They would have swallowed us alive

    in their burning anger.

The waters would have engulfed us;

    a torrent would have overwhelmed us.

Yes, the raging waters of their fury

    would have overwhelmed our very lives.

 

Praise the LORD,

    who did not let their teeth tear us apart!

We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap.

    The trap is broken, and we are free!

Our help is from the LORD,

    who made heaven and earth. 

 

Praise the LORD, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!

Psalm 91:3 

For he will rescue you from every trap

    and protect you from deadly disease.  (see all Psalm 91)

Psalm 141:9-10  

Keep me from the traps they have set for me,

    from the snares of those who do wrong.

Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

    but let me escape.  (see all Psalm 141)

Proverbs 6:5  

Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter,

    like a bird fleeing from a net.  (see Proverbs 6:1-6)

Psalm 25:15  

My eyes are always on the LORD,

    for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.  (see all Psalm 25)

Psalm 31:3-4  

You are my rock and my fortress.

    For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.

Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me,

    for I find protection in you alone.  (see all Psalm 31)  

 

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.