Sowing in Tears
Psalms 125
A Song of Degrees recalling the joy that filled Israel when the Lord turned their captivity, so that even the Gentiles said the Lord had done great things for them. It compares those who sow in tears to those who will return rejoicing, carrying their sheaves with them.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonWHEN the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion; we were like them who are comforted.
BrentonA Song of Degrees. When the Lord turned the captivity of Sion, we became as comforted ones.
GreekὨδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν. Ἐν τῷ ἐπιστρέψαι Κύριον τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν Σιὼν, ἐγενήθημεν ὡσεὶ παρακεκλημένοι.
KJVWhen the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
JPSA Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto them that dream.
2
ThomsonThen was our mouth filled with joy, and our tongue with exultation—then did they say among the nations, “The Lord hath done great things for them.”
BrentonThen was our mouth filled with joy, and our tongue with exultation: then would they say among the Gentiles,
GreekΤότε ἐπλήσθη χαρᾶς τὸ στόμα ἡμῶν, καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα ἡμῶν ἀγαλλιάσεως· τότε ἐροῦσιν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, ἐμεγάλυνε Κύριος τοῦ ποιῆσαι μετʼ αὐτῶν.
KJVThen was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
JPSThen was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing; then said they among the nations: 'The LORD hath done great things with these.'
3
ThomsonThe Lord hath done great things for us; we are transported with rapturous joy.
BrentonThe Lord has done great things among them. The Lord has done great things for us, we became joyful.
GreekἘμεγάλυνε Κύριος τοῦ ποιῆσαι μεθʼ ἡμῶν, ἐγενήθημεν εὐφραινόμενοι.
KJVThe LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
JPSThe LORD hath done great things with us; we are rejoiced.
4
ThomsonBring back, O Lord, our captivity, like torrents in the south.
BrentonTurn, O Lord, our captivity, as the streams in the south.
GreekἘπίστρεψον, Κύριε, τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν ἡμῶν ὡς χειμάῤῥους ἐν τῷ Νότῳ.
KJVTurn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
JPSTurn our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the dry land.
5
ThomsonLet them who sow with tears reap with rapture.
BrentonThey that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
GreekΟἱ σπείροντες ἐν δάκρυσιν, ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει θεριοῦσι.
KJVThey that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
JPSThey that sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
6
ThomsonThey went step by step and wept sowing their seed; but let them come tripping with joy, carrying their sheaves.
BrentonThey went on and wept as they cast their seeds; but they shall surely come with exultation, bringing their sheaves with them.
GreekΠορευόμενοι ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ ἔκλαιον βάλλοντες τὰ σπέρματα αὐτῶν· ἐρχόμενοι δὲ ἥξουσιν ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει αἴροντες τὰ δράγματα αὐτῶν.
KJVHe that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
JPS—