Psalms 126:5

KJV

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

KJV (with Strong's)

They that sow {H2232} in tears {H1832} shall reap {H7114} in joy {H7440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy.

Berean Standard Bible

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.

American Standard Version

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 126:5 presents a profound and enduring promise of hope and eventual joy for those who persevere through hardship. This verse, situated within the "Songs of Ascents," encapsulates a timeless spiritual principle: that present suffering, diligent labor, and sacrificial investment, especially when undertaken amidst sorrow, will ultimately yield a bountiful harvest of gladness and divine restoration. It reassures believers that tears shed in faithfulness are not wasted but are, in God's economy, the very seeds of future triumph and profound celebration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 126 is one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), hymns sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. The psalm opens with an exultant recollection of the initial return from Babylonian captivity, describing it as a dream-like, miraculous event where laughter and singing filled their mouths, causing even the nations to acknowledge God's great work ([Psalms 126:1-3](/psalms/126-1-3 "Psalms 126:1-3 - The Lord Has Done Great Things for Us")). However, the tone shifts in [Psalms 126:4](/psalms/126-4 "Psalms 126:4 - Restore Our Fortunes, Lord") to a fervent prayer for a complete restoration, perhaps for those still in exile, or for the full rebuilding and flourishing of the land and community after the initial, partial return. Verse 5, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy," serves as a timeless proverb that applies the experience of the exiles—their weeping during captivity and the subsequent joyous return—to a broader, universal principle of faith, endurance, and divine faithfulness. It bridges the past miracle with a future hope, grounding it in a principle of spiritual cause and effect.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 126 is the post-exilic period, specifically the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Judah, likely following Cyrus the Great's decree in 538 BC. This return, while miraculous and celebrated, was not without immense challenges. The land was desolate, the temple lay in ruins, and the returning community faced poverty, opposition from surrounding peoples, and the arduous task of rebuilding Jerusalem and their lives. The "tears" of [Psalms 126:5](/psalms/126-5 "Psalms 126:5 - Sowing in Tears") would have resonated deeply with their experience of long captivity, the sorrow of their devastated homeland, and the difficult labor required to restore it. The agricultural imagery of "sowing" and "reaping" was deeply embedded in ancient Israelite culture, where life revolved around the agricultural seasons. Farmers understood that the hard, often tearful labor of sowing in dry conditions or through difficult seasons was a prerequisite for a joyful harvest. This vivid metaphor would have powerfully conveyed the necessity of painful effort preceding abundant blessing.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Restoration and Faithfulness**, emphasizing God's power to turn sorrow into joy, as seen in the initial return from exile described in [Psalms 126:1](/psalms/126-1 "Psalms 126:1 - When the Lord Restored the Fortunes of Zion"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Perseverance Through Adversity**, teaching that sustained effort and faithfulness during difficult times are not futile but are the very means through which future blessing is secured. The "tears" signify genuine sorrow, struggle, and sacrifice, while the "joy" denotes a profound, often triumphant gladness. Thirdly, the verse employs a powerful **Agricultural Metaphor** (sowing and reaping), which is a pervasive biblical theme illustrating the principle of cause and effect, where effort yields corresponding fruit. This is echoed in passages like [Galatians 6:7-9](/galatians/6-7-9 "Galatians 6:7-9 - Sowing and Reaping") where Paul speaks of sowing to the Spirit. Finally, it instills **Hope for the Future**, reminding believers that present suffering is temporary and purposeful, pointing to an assured future where grief is replaced by gladness and effort is crowned with success, a promise often found in prophetic books like [Jeremiah 31:13](/jeremiah/31-13 "Jeremiah 31:13 - God Turns Mourning into Joy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sow (Hebrew, _zâraʻ'_):** This primitive root literally means "to sow" or "to scatter seed." Figuratively, it denotes the act of disseminating, planting, or fructifying. In the context of [Psalms 126:5](/psalms/126-5 "Psalms 126:5 - Sowing in Tears"), it signifies the diligent, often laborious effort and investment of time, energy, and resources. The imagery evokes a farmer painstakingly planting seeds, often under difficult conditions, with no immediate visible return, but with an expectation of future growth. Spiritually, it represents faithful action, service, or endurance, even when the circumstances are painful or the outcome uncertain.
* **Tears (Hebrew, _dimʻâh'_):** This feminine noun, derived from a root meaning "to weep," specifically refers to "weeping" or "tears." It emphasizes the deep emotional and physical toll associated with the "sowing." It's not just hard work, but work accompanied by profound distress, grief, or suffering. This could be due to external hardships (persecution, poverty, loss) or internal anguish (burden for others, spiritual struggle). The presence of tears highlights the profound sacrifice and emotional cost involved in the present labor.
* **Joy (Hebrew, _rinnâh'_):** This noun, derived from a root meaning "to creak" or "to utter a shrill sound," properly signifies a "shout" or "cry," specifically a "shout of joy" or "triumph." It denotes an expressive, often exuberant gladness, far beyond mere contentment. The stark contrast with "tears" emphasizes a dramatic and complete transformation of emotional state. This joy is not fleeting but is the profound satisfaction and celebration that comes from seeing the fruit of one's arduous labor, often implying a divine intervention that brings about this abundant harvest.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They that sow in tears":** This clause paints a vivid picture of present suffering and sacrificial labor. The "sowing" refers to the act of investing effort, time, resources, or even one's very being into a task or situation. The phrase "in tears" powerfully qualifies this action, indicating that the labor is undertaken amidst sorrow, grief, hardship, or adversity. It suggests a deep emotional cost, a burden carried, or a period of intense struggle where hope may seem distant, yet the work continues faithfully. This is not passive suffering, but active, painful engagement, a deliberate act of faith despite the anguish.
* **"shall reap in joy":** This clause presents the assured, future outcome of the tearful sowing. "Reaping" signifies the gathering of a harvest, the collection of the fruit of one's labor. The promise is that this harvest will be accompanied by "joy"—a profound, often exultant gladness that stands in stark contrast to the initial tears. This joy is a divine gift, a fulfillment of God's promise to those who endure. It implies not just a return on investment, but an abundant, overwhelming blessing that far outweighs the initial suffering, transforming sorrow into celebration and triumph.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device in [Psalms 126:5](/psalms/126-5 "Psalms 126:5 - Sowing in Tears") is the **Agricultural Metaphor**. The entire verse is built upon the imagery of farming: "sowing" and "reaping." This metaphor effectively conveys the principle of cause and effect, where diligent effort (sowing) inevitably leads to a corresponding outcome (reaping). The addition of "in tears" and "in joy" introduces a powerful **Juxtaposition** or **Antithesis**, creating a dramatic contrast between the painful present and the glorious future. This highlights the transformative power of God and the redemptive nature of suffering. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Proverbial Statement**, offering timeless wisdom that extends beyond the immediate historical context of the Babylonian exile. Its concise, memorable form makes it easily applicable to various life situations, serving as an enduring source of encouragement and hope.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 126:5 speaks profoundly to the nature of God's faithfulness and the redemptive purpose of suffering. It asserts a divine principle: that God does not waste our tears or our painful efforts. Instead, He uses them as the very ground from which future blessing and joy will spring forth. This verse underscores the eschatological hope inherent in the biblical narrative, where present afflictions are temporary and purposeful, leading to an ultimate, glorious restoration. It teaches that true spiritual growth and significant breakthroughs often emerge from seasons of deep difficulty, requiring patient endurance and unwavering trust in God's timing and sovereign plan. This transformative process, where sorrow is turned into profound gladness, is a hallmark of God's work in the lives of His people, assuring them that their faithful perseverance will always be honored and rewarded.

* [Galatians 6:7-9](/galatians/6-7-9 "Galatians 6:7-9 - Sowing to the Spirit")
* [Jeremiah 31:13](/jeremiah/31-13 "Jeremiah 31:13 - God Turns Mourning into Joy")
* [2 Corinthians 4:17](/2_corinthians/4-17 "2 Corinthians 4:17 - Our Light and Momentary Troubles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 126:5 offers immense comfort and profound motivation for believers navigating the inevitable hardships of life. It provides a divine perspective on suffering, reframing tears not as a sign of futility, but as an essential, even sacred, part of the sowing process for future joy. Whether facing personal grief, enduring prolonged illness, struggling in ministry, laboring for justice in a broken world, or making sacrifices for the Kingdom, this verse reminds us that our efforts and sorrows are seen by God and are never in vain. It calls us to cultivate patience and unwavering trust, knowing that just as a farmer waits for the harvest, we must wait for God to bring forth the promised joy from our sown tears. This perspective empowers us to lean into difficult seasons with hope, understanding that the present moment of struggle is pregnant with the promise of future gladness, transforming our lament into a song of expectation and active faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "tears" are you currently sowing in your life, whether personal, spiritual, relational, or vocational?**
* **How does the promise of "reaping in joy" encourage you to persevere through your current challenges and maintain hope?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to exercise more patience, trusting God to bring forth a harvest in His perfect timing?**
* **How can you cultivate a posture of active faith and expectation even when the "sowing" feels overwhelmingly tearful or the harvest seems distant?**

### FAQ
**Does "sowing in tears" guarantee material prosperity or immediate relief from suffering?**

Answer: While God can and often does bring material blessings, the primary "joy" promised in [Psalms 126:5](/psalms/126-5 "Psalms 126:5 - Sowing in Tears") is not exclusively or even primarily material prosperity or immediate cessation of all suffering. The "reaping in joy" encompasses a broader, deeper sense of spiritual fulfillment, emotional restoration, and profound gladness that comes from seeing God's faithfulness and the fruit of one's labor. This joy might manifest as peace amidst continued hardship, spiritual fruit in ministry, the restoration of relationships, an inner triumph over adversity, or the profound satisfaction of knowing one has been faithful. It is a divine assurance that no tear shed in faithful labor or suffering is ever wasted in God's economy, and that ultimate vindication and gladness await those who persevere. The focus is on a spiritual and emotional harvest, though physical blessings may also accompany it as God wills.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 126:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the supreme "Sower in tears" who endured unimaginable sorrow and suffering for the sake of humanity's redemption. His journey to the cross, from the agony in [Gethsemane](/matthew/26-36-46 "Matthew 26:36-46 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane") where His sweat was like drops of blood, to His cry of dereliction on [Calvary](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross"), represents the deepest possible "sowing in tears." Yet, precisely through this suffering, Jesus "reaped in joy"—not for Himself alone, but for all who believe. His resurrection was the ultimate harvest of triumph over sin and death, leading to His ascension and exaltation at the right hand of God, where He now intercedes for us ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith")). Just as a grain of wheat must fall into the earth and die to bear much fruit ([John 12:24](/john/12-24 "John 12:24 - The Grain of Wheat Analogy")), Christ's sacrifice was the necessary "sowing" for the spiritual harvest of salvation and eternal life for countless souls. Believers, by identifying with Christ's suffering ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")), also participate in His "sowing in tears" in this life, with the certain hope of "reaping in joy" with Him in glory, when God will wipe away every tear from their eyes ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Isaiah 35:10

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.

John 16:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Joel 2:23

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first [month].

Matthew 5:4

Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Isaiah 12:1

¶ And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.