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Psalms 126

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Joyful Remembrance of Restoration 1–3

1
When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto them that dream. ​
2
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing: Then said they among the nations, Jehovah hath done great things for them. ​
3
Jehovah hath done great things for us, Whereofwe are glad.

Prayer for Full Restoration and Harvest 4–6

4
Turn again our captivity, O Jehovah, As the streams in the South. ​
5
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. ​
6
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him. ​

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for Psalms 126

Verse 1

turned again the captivity of Zion — The verb is shub, to turn back, and the noun shibah is a related word for a returning, so the phrase can be read as the LORD 'returning the return' of Zion. 'Like them that dream' (chalam) is how unbelievably good it seemed; of Peter freed by the angel it is said that he 'thought he saw a vision' (Acts 12:9).

Verse 2

The LORD hath done great things for them — The nations speak first, and Israel repeats it: 'The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad' (v.3), with the same verb (gadal, to make great). 'Singing' is rinnah, a ringing cry of joy, which the psalm uses again in vv.5 and 6 for the joy of harvest ('joy', 'rejoicing').

Verse 4

as the streams in the south — Aphiq is a channel or watercourse, and the Negeb ('the south') is the parched country below Judah. The plea asks for the return of the exiles, 'Turn again our captivity' (shebuth), to be as swift and full as such a channel refilled. Hosea speaks the same promise: 'when I returned the captivity of my people' (Hos 6:11).

Verse 5

sow in tears… reap in joy — The first line of the pair joins sowing (zara) to weeping, the second reaping (qatsar) to rinnah, the shout of joy of vv.2 and 6. Christ says the same of his disciples: 'ye shall weep and lament… your sorrow shall be turned into joy' (John 16:20); Paul adds 'in due season we shall reap, if we faint not' (Gal 6:9).

Verse 6

bearing precious seed — The Hebrew meshek (from 'to draw out') is the bag or trail of seed, so the sower carries seed to sow. 'Shall doubtless come again' repeats the verb, literally 'coming, he shall come', and he brings 'his sheaves' (alummah) where he had carried seed. Isaiah gives the same image of joy: 'they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest' (Isa 9:3).