Zion’s Captives Restored

A song of ascents.

1 When the LORD restored the captives of Zion,a

we were like dreamers.b

2Then our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with shouts of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

“The LORD has done great things for them.”

3The LORD has done great things for us;

we are filled with joy.

4Restore our captives,c O LORD,

like streams in the Negev.

5Those who sow in tears

will reap with shouts of joy.

6He who goes out weeping,

bearing a trail of seed,

will surely return with shouts of joy,

carrying sheaves of grain.