What is Psalterium Catholicum?

Psalterium Catholicum offers praying the Psalms, practicing Lectio Divina, and exploring faithful Catholic resources for daily devotion.

Psalm 126 The Psalter Psalm 128

PSALMVS CXXVII

Nisi Dominus

A Song of Degrees: The Lord's Blessing · Wisdom · Book V

Pray this Psalm · Lectio Divina

1When the lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted.

2Then was our mouth filled with gladness; and our tongue with joy. Then shall they say among the Gentiles: The Lord hath done great things for them.

3The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful.

4Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south.

5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6Going they went and wept, casting their seeds.

7But coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.

Douay-Rheims · Challoner Revision

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Wisdom of the Church

Psalm 127, superscribed as 'A Song of Ascents, of Solomon,' is traditionally attributed to David’s son, reflecting the Solomonic wisdom literature tradition. Structurally, it occupies a central place in the 'Songs of Ascents' (Psalms 120–134), a collection likely utilized by Jewish pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for the three great annual festivals: Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. Historically, the psalm addresses the futility of human endeavor—building, guarding, or working—when attempted apart from divine sovereignty. In the Second Temple period, it served as a sobering reminder to the exilic and post-exilic community that the restoration of Zion depended solely on the Lord’s providence rather than mere civic or architectural planning. The mention of 'sons as a heritage' reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of children as divine gifts ensuring the survival of the house and the nation. By placing this prayer among the pilgrimage songs, the Psalter instructs the faithful traveler to center their life’s labor in the Lord’s grace, acknowledging that human effort is vanity unless it is an extension of the Creator’s own sustaining will.