PSALM 126 (a rough translation)
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion
it was like living in a dream;
our mouths overflowed with laughter,
and our tongues sang with joy.
All the people round about said,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD did indeed do great things for us
 - and we were overjoyed.
O LORD, restore us again,
like the creek-beds in 'the bush':
those who sowed with tears
 reaping with shouts of gladness,
our journey in a broken world
giving way to abundant joy.
 

Psalm 126 (a version for today)
It was a golden age, like living in a dream;
our mouths overflowed with laughter,
and our tongues sang with joy.
All the people round about said,
 "The LORD  has done a great thing for them."
The LORD had indeed done a great thing for us
- and we were overjoyed,
 happy as we had never known.
O LORD, restore us again,
like the creek-beds outback:
when those who sowed with sweat and tears
shall reap with shouts of gladness,
when our journey in a broken world
shall give way to abundant joy.

Looking for contemporary music and song resources? Try David MacGregor's Together to Celebrate
Or metrical psalms? Try Dale A. Schoening's Sing the Psalms

HYMN SUGGESTIONS FOR ADVENT 3 - YEAR B
O come! O come, Emmanuel	TIS 265	AHB 193
So God loved the people of the world	TIS 241	SA 78
Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11
Beauty for brokenness, hope for despair	TIS 690
Come to be our hope, O Jesus	TIS 688
Come, thou long-expected Jesus	TIS 272	AHB 200
Come, your hearts and voices raising	TIS 297
Dear Lord, for all in pain we pray	TIS 612
God of freedom, God of justice	TIS 657	SA 42
God's Son came to bless us	TIS 197
Hail to the Lord's anointed	TIS 275	AHB 203
Holy Spirit, ever dwelling	TIS 410	AHB 323
Jesus put this song into our hearts	TIS 670
Jesus shall reign where'er the sun	TIS 207	AHB 136
Lord, your almighty word	TIS 447	AHB 61
Praise with joy the world's Creator	TIS 179
Robe yourself, my soul, in gladness	TIS 503
Sing of the Lord's goodness,	TIS 183
The advent of our God	TIS 271	AHB 198
Psalm 126
For the fruits of all creation	TIS 168	SA 37
In suffering love the thread of life	TIS 177
Joyful, joyful, we adore you	TIS 152
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage	TIS 80
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
A new heart, Lord, create in me	TIS 559
Father of mercy, God of consolation	TIS 472	SA 33
Father of peace and God of love	TIS 482	AHB 407
For the beauty of the earth	TIS 137	AHB 77
Give thanks for the Lord is good	TIS 74
Go now in peace	TIS 782
Holy Spirit, go before us	TIS 420
Lord Christ, true peace of all above	TIS 623
O Christ the healer, we have come	TIS 638
Rejoice, the Lord is king	TIS 216	AHB 147
Spirit divine, attend our prayers	TIS 406	AHB 377
Thank you for giving me the morning	TIS 162	AHB 114
This, this is the God we adore	TIS 220	AHB 153
John 1:6-8,19-28
Come, you people, come adore him	TIS 101	AHB 5
Hark, a herald voice is calling	TIS 264	AHB 192
I want to walk as a child of the light	TIS 643
Jesus the name high over all	TIS 218	AHB 150
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry	TIS 270	AHB 199
Saviour of the nations, come	TIS 295