Psalm 126: Shir Hama'alot

Shir Hama'alot, b'shuv Adonai et shivat tziyon hayinu k'chol'mim. Az Y'male s'chok pinu ulshoneinu rina. Az yom'ru vagoyim higdil Adonai la'asot im eleh; higdil Adonai la'asot imanu hayinu s'meicheim. Shuva Adonai et shiviteinu ka'afikim banegev. Hazor'im b'dimah b'rinah yiktzoru. Haloch Yelech uvacho, noseh meshech hazarah, bo yavo v'rinah noseh alumotav.
[T'hilat Adonai y'dabeh pi, vivarech kol basar shem kodsho l'olam vaed. Va'anachnu n'varech Yah, m'atah v'ad olam Hal'luyah. Hodu Ladonai ki tov; ki l'olam Chasdo. Mi y'malel g'vurot Adonai Yashmia kol t'hilato.]

A Song of Ascents. When the Lord brought Zion out of captivity​​, we were like people in a dream. Our mouths were filled with laughter and with cries of joy. When that happened,​ other nations declared,​ "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord had indeed done great things for us, and we were happy. Let our captivity​​, Lord, be a thing of the past, like dried-up streams in the Negev. Those who sow tears shall reap joy. The man who weeps as he trails the seed along will return with cries of joy, carrying his sheaves.

Now let my mouth declare the Lord's praise, and let all humanity bless His holy name forever: "Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His kindness is everlasti​ng! Who can describe the mighty deeds of the Lord, or utter all His praise?!"​

Psalms 126 and other verses from psalms in brackets added by some. Shir Hama'alot is sung in Ashkenazi traditions before Birkat Hamazon on Shabbat, Festivals and other joyous occasions.

List of Songs that 'go into' (i.e. can be sung immediately before, and then with the same tune as Shir Hamaalot):
Tov L'hodot
Im Eshkachech (2 Tunes)
Yedid Nefesh
Essa Einai

Before Hatikvah was chosen for the purpose, Shir Hama'alot was a serious contender as Israel's national anthem. "When the Lord brought us out of captivity, we were like people in a dream!"