Psalms 126
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When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.
3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 126:1-6
Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord
A Song of Ascents.
1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 126:1-6
Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
5Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
As pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem, one of their songs was a “remembering song” --- their song of remembrance of God’s deliverance of His people.
Psalm 126:2b tells us that this act of deliverance of God’s people back to the promised land (their 2nd time to be delivered to this land) was one that caught the attention of the surrounding nations. Even the unbelieving ones gave God the credit saying that “the Lord has done great things for them.”
I take great comfort in this passage because of the seasons of my life that don’t seem to make sense—the seasons where I see no signs of harvest for the planting to which I devoted my time and energies. This is God’s way of reminding me “You will return to the place of my abundance with praise on your lips and with a blessing in your hand. And My Name will be glorified forever.”
Cindy Nash
Wife, Mother, Nurse
Littleton, Colorado, USA (as of this writing)
