Psalms 126:6

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him].

He that goeth {H3212} forth {H1980} and weepeth {H1058}, bearing {H5375} precious {H4901} seed {H2233}, shall doubtless {H935} come {H935} again with rejoicing {H7440}, bringing {H5375} his sheaves {H485} with him.

He who goes out weeping as he carries his sack of seed will come home with cries of joy as he carries his sheaves of grain.

He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalms 126:6 KJV offers a profound promise and principle, concluding a psalm that celebrates God's miraculous restoration of His people from captivity. This verse uses vivid agricultural imagery to convey a message of perseverance, hope, and the certainty of future reward for those who labor faithfully, even through hardship.

Context of Psalms 126:6

Psalm 126 is one of the "Songs of Ascents," sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem. The psalm begins with a reflection on the joyous and almost unbelievable return of the Israelites from Babylonian exile (see Psalms 126:1-3). This initial jubilation then transitions into a prayer for continued restoration (verse 4) and a meditative principle about the nature of spiritual labor and its eventual fruit. Verse 6 serves as a powerful summary of this principle, assuring that present sorrow in sowing will yield future joy in reaping.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sowing in Tears, Reaping in Joy: The central theme is the promise that effort and sacrifice, particularly when accompanied by difficulty or sorrow ("weepeth"), will inevitably lead to a bountiful and joyful harvest. It speaks to the spiritual law of sowing and reaping.
  • Perseverance and Hope: The verse encourages believers to endure through trying times, reminding them that their labor is not in vain. The "doubtless" aspect emphasizes the certainty of God's promise and future vindication or reward.
  • The Value of "Precious Seed": This seed can represent many things: the Word of God shared in evangelism, acts of service, prayers offered, financial giving, or any sacrificial effort made for the Kingdom of God. It's "precious" because it costs something to sow.
  • Divine Faithfulness: Underlying the promise is the faithfulness of God, who ensures that sincere effort for His purposes will always bear fruit.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery is deeply rooted in ancient agrarian life. The Hebrew word for "seed" (zera) often refers to literal grain for planting, but metaphorically it can also signify offspring, or, in a broader sense, one's efforts or the message proclaimed. The "sheaves" (alumot) are bundles of harvested grain, representing the tangible, abundant fruit of one's labor. The contrast between "weeping" (בכה, bakah) and "rejoicing" (רנה, rinnah) highlights the transformative power of God's work, turning sorrow into profound joy.

Practical Application

Psalms 126:6 offers immense encouragement for various aspects of life and faith:

  • Evangelism and Ministry: For those who share the Gospel or serve in ministry, often facing rejection, apathy, or spiritual dryness, this verse assures them that their "precious seed" will yield a harvest of souls and spiritual growth.
  • Enduring Trials: When facing personal hardships, sorrow, or seemingly unfruitful efforts in faith, the verse reminds us that perseverance through tears is a path to future joy and blessing. It echoes the sentiment that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope.
  • Generosity and Sacrifice: Any act of giving or sacrifice for God's kingdom, though it may feel like a loss in the present, is a "sowing of precious seed" that God promises to multiply for future rejoicing.

Ultimately, this verse is a powerful reminder that God honors diligent and sacrificial labor for His purposes, transforming seasons of struggle into seasons of abundant joy and harvest.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Galatians 6:7

    Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

  • Galatians 6:8

    For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

  • Isaiah 9:2

    The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

  • Isaiah 9:3

    Thou hast multiplied the nation, [and] not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, [and] as [men] rejoice when they divide the spoil.

  • Psalms 30:5

    For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.

  • Isaiah 61:3

    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

  • Job 11:13

    ¶ If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
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