L: Read by the Leader. P: Read by the people
(This is a Psalm of Ascents, which were a series of Psalms sung by Galilean pilgrims who were walking up the steep mountain road from Jericho in the Jordan Valley, up 3000 feet to Jerusalem for the annual festivals at the Temple of God. You might want to include this in your Thanksgiving celebration.)
L: When the Lord brought the captives to Zion*, we were like those restored to health. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations,
P: “The Lord has done great things for them.”
L: The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
P: Bring back our captives, Lord, like streams in the Negev**.
L: Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
P: Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves*** with them.
(Psalm 126)
* Zion is the mountain upon which Jerusalem is built.
**The Negev is the desert in the southern part of Israel.
*** Sheaves are bundles of wheat stalks collected at harvest time.