Psalm 126: Shir Hama'alot

Shir Hama'alot,
B'shuv Adonai et shivat tziyon
hayinu k'chol'mim.
Az Y'male s'chok peenu 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.


Sometimes appended to Shir Hamaalot before Birkat Hamazon:

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.

When the Lord returned the captives of Zion, we were like people in a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with exultation: then said they among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us; so we rejoiced! Bring back our captives, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Though he goes on his way weeping, bearing the store of seed, he shall come back with joy, bearing his sheaves.

Psalm 126

Translation based on The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915) (public domain).

Sometimes appended to Shir Hamaalot before Birkat Hamazon:

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever.
Psalms 145:21

But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for ever, Hallelujah.
Psalms 115:18

O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.
Psalms 118:1

Who can express the mighty acts of the LORD, or make all His praise to be heard?
Psalms 106:2

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

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!"

The first tune in the list below, recorded by Joel Nothman, was composed by Cantor Pinkhas Minkowski (1859-1924) and was made famous by Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt (1882-1933). As far as can be determined, the tune is in the public domain.

The tune recorded by Emily Barton is by Debbie Friedman. The Zemirot Database has obtained licenses for this use from the Deborah Lynn Friedman Trust.