King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
Complete Jewish Bible:
A song of ascents: When ADONAI restored Tziyon's fortunes, we thought we were dreaming.
Berean Standard Bible:
When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.
American Standard Version:
When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto them that dream.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
A Song{H7892} of degrees{H4609}. When the LORD{H3068} turned again{H7725} the captivity{H7870} of Zion{H6726}, we were like them that dream{H2492}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Hosea 6:11
- Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.
Joel 3:1
- ¶ For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
Jeremiah 31:8
- Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, [and] with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
Jeremiah 31:10
- ¶ Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock.
Psalms 85:1
- ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
Acts 12:9
- And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
Psalms 120:1
- ¶ A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
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Commentary for Psalms 126:1
Psalm 126:1 is part of a collection known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134), which were likely used during pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the three major Jewish festivals. These psalms express the journey of the faithful, both physically as they ascended to the holy city and spiritually as they drew closer to God.
The verse speaks to a moment of profound joy and relief in Israel's history, specifically referencing the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. This event, which occurred around 538 BCE under the decree of King Cyrus of Persia, marked the end of a period of captivity and the beginning of the restoration of Jerusalem and its temple.
The phrase "When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion" reflects on the Lord's intervention in the nation's fortunes. It was such a dramatic and positive reversal that the psalmist likens the experience to a dream. The use of the dream metaphor suggests that the joy and amazement of the people were so intense that the reality of their liberation and return seemed almost surreal, as if it were too good to be true.
This verse captures the themes of divine redemption, the restoration of fortunes, and the emotional impact of God's faithfulness to His people. It is a testament to the hope that even in the darkest times, God can bring about a miraculous change, transforming weeping into joy and despair into dreams fulfilled. The historical context of the Babylonian exile and the subsequent return gives depth to the psalm's expression of gratitude and wonder at the mercy and power of God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7892
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁיר
Transliteration: shîyr
Pronunciation: sheer
Description: or feminine שִׁירָה; from שִׁיר; a song; abstractly, singing; musical(-ick), [idiom] sing(-er, -ing), song. - Strong's Number: H4609
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַעֲלָה
Transliteration: maʻălâh
Pronunciation: mah-al-aw'
Description: feminine of מַעֲלֶה; elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grademark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms); things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H7725
There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוּב
Transliteration: shûwb
Pronunciation: shoob
Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. - Strong's Number: H7870
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁיבָה
Transliteration: shîybâh
Pronunciation: shee-baw'
Description: by permutation from שׁוּב; a return (of property); captivity. - Strong's Number: H6726
There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צִיּוֹן
Transliteration: Tsîyôwn
Pronunciation: tsee-yone'
Description: the same (regularly) as צִיּוּןlemma צִיוּן missing dagesh, corrected to צִיּוּן; Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem; Zion. - Strong's Number: H2492
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָלַם
Transliteration: châlam
Pronunciation: khaw-lam'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to bind firmly, i.e. (by implication) to be (causatively to make) plump; also (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream; (cause to) dream(-er), be in good liking, recover.