₁When the LORD brought us back to Jerusalem,

it was like a dream!

₂How we laughed, how we sang for joy!

Then the other nations said about us,

“The LORD did great things for them.”

₃Indeed he did great things for us;

how happy we were!

₄LORD, make us prosperous again,

just as the rain brings water back to dry riverbeds.

₅Let those who wept as they sowed their seed,

gather the harvest with joy!

₆Those who wept as they went out carrying the seed

will come back singing for joy,

as they bring in the harvest.

“My heart praises the Lord;

₄₇my soul is glad because of God my Saviour,

₄₈for he has remembered me, his lowly servant!

From now on all people will call me happy,

₄₉because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me.

His name is holy;

₅₀from one generation to another

he shows mercy to those who honour him.

₅₁He has stretched out his mighty arm

and scattered the proud with all their plans.

₅₂He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly.

₅₃He has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away with empty hands.

₅₄He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors,

and has come to the help of his servant Israel.

₅₅He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham

and to all his descendants for ever!”