Psalms 126:2

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.

Then was our mouth {H6310} filled {H4390} with laughter {H7814}, and our tongue {H3956} with singing {H7440}: then said {H559} they among the heathen {H1471}, The LORD {H3068} hath done {H6213} great things {H1431} for them.

Our mouths were full of laughter, and our tongues shouted for joy. Among the nations it was said, "ADONAI has done great things for them!"

Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

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.

Commentary

Psalms 126:2 vividly captures the profound joy and awe experienced by the Jewish people upon their miraculous return from Babylonian captivity. It is a verse brimming with the immediate, overflowing delight of a people who had long suffered in exile, now restored by divine intervention.

Context

Psalm 126 is one of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. This particular psalm reflects on the incredible experience of the exiles returning to Judah, likely after the decree of Cyrus as prophesied by Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 29:10). The previous verse describes this return as being "like them that dream," highlighting the surreal and almost unbelievable nature of their liberation. Verse 2 describes the spontaneous, effusive reaction to this dream becoming reality.

Key Themes

  • Overwhelming Joy and Relief: The phrase "our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing" speaks to an uncontainable, jubilant outburst. It wasn't just happiness, but a deeply felt relief and elation after years of sorrow and longing for Zion.
  • Divine Intervention and Restoration: The core reason for this joy is explicitly stated: "The LORD hath done great things for them." This acknowledges that their restoration was not by human might or power, but a magnificent act of God. It highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even after Israel's disobedience led to exile.
  • Witness to the Nations: A powerful aspect of this verse is that "they among the heathen" (the surrounding nations, or goyim) recognized God's hand in Israel's deliverance. This demonstrates that God's work for His people can serve as a compelling testimony to His power and sovereignty to those who do not know Him. This divine act was too profound to be ignored by observers.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "laughter," tsechoq (צְחוֹק), implies a deep, genuine mirth, often associated with expressions of joy and delight. "Singing" comes from rinnah (רִנָּה), which denotes a joyful shout or ringing cry, indicative of exuberant praise. The phrase "great things" translates from the Hebrew verb higdil (הִגְדִּיל), meaning to make great, magnify, or do great things. It emphasizes the extraordinary, awe-inspiring, and magnificent nature of God's work, far beyond human capability.

Practical Application

Psalms 126:2 serves as a timeless reminder of God's ability to bring about profound restoration and joy, even after periods of immense difficulty. It encourages us to:

  • Acknowledge God's Hand: When blessings or breakthroughs occur, especially after hardship, recognize and attribute the "great things" to the Lord, not merely to circumstances or human effort.
  • Embrace Joy as a Testimony: Our joy in God's goodness can be a powerful witness to those around us. When unbelievers observe the peace and joy of believers, especially in challenging times, it can draw them to inquire about the source of that hope, just as the "heathen" observed God's work for Israel.
  • Hope for Future Restoration: This verse instills hope that even in our personal exiles—whether from sin, despair, or difficult circumstances—God is capable of turning our mourning into dancing and filling our mouths with laughter again, as promised in Jeremiah 31:13.
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Cross-References

  • Job 8:21 (10 votes)

    Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.

  • Isaiah 35:10 (7 votes)

    And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

  • Psalms 71:19 (6 votes)

    Thy righteousness also, O God, [is] very high, who hast done great things: O God, who [is] like unto thee!

  • Zechariah 8:22 (6 votes)

    Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

  • Zechariah 8:23 (6 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days [it shall come to pass], that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard [that] God [is] with you.

  • Jeremiah 33:11 (4 votes)

    The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: [and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

  • Psalms 106:47 (4 votes)

    Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, [and] to triumph in thy praise.