23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Scriptures:         Psalm 126

 A Harvest of Joy

 A Song of Ascents.

1              When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

                we were like those who dream.

2              Then our mouth was filled with laughter

                and our tongue with shouts of joy;

            then it was said among the nations,

                “The Lord has done great things for them.”

3              The Lord has done great things for us,

                and we rejoiced.

4              Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

                like the watercourses in the Negeb.

5              May those who sow in tears

                reap with shouts of joy.

6              Those who go out weeping,

                bearing the seed for sowing,

            shall come home with shouts of joy,

                carrying their sheaves.

  One:   This is the Word of the Lord.

            ALL:   Thanks be to God.