Psalms 126:6

Translation
King James Version
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
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KJV (with Strong's)
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.
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Complete Jewish Bible
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.
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Berean Standard Bible
He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.
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American Standard Version
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
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World English Bible Messianic
He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
They went weeping and caried precious seede: but they shall returne with ioye and bring their sheaues.
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Young's Literal Translation
Whoso goeth on and weepeth, Bearing the basket of seed, Surely cometh in with singing, bearing his sheaves!
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See also
Galatians 6:7Galatians 6:8Isaiah 9:2Isaiah 9:3Psalms 30:5Isaiah 61:3Job 11:13
In the KJVVerse 16,122 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

Psalms 126:6 offers a profound and enduring principle, concluding a psalm that celebrates God's miraculous restoration of His people from Babylonian captivity. Through vivid agricultural imagery, this verse conveys a powerful message of perseverance, hope, and the absolute certainty of future reward for those who labor faithfully, even through seasons of significant hardship, sorrow, or apparent unfruitfulness. It assures that the costly and tearful effort of sowing "precious seed" will inevitably culminate in a joyous and abundant harvest.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalms 126 is one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), psalms sung by pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. This particular psalm is structured in three movements: a joyful remembrance of past deliverance (verses 1-3), a fervent prayer for present and future restoration (verse 4), and a timeless, proverbial principle that grounds the hope of the preceding prayer (verses 5-6). Verse 6 serves as the climactic affirmation of the psalm's central theme—that God turns sorrow into joy, and labor into fruit. It directly builds upon the general truth stated in Psalms 126:5, providing a specific and vivid illustration of that principle and solidifying the psalm's message of assured divine blessing for persistent, tearful labor.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The psalm's backdrop is the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity, a pivotal event in Israel's history. After seventy years of exile, the decree of Cyrus allowed them to return to Judah (as recounted in Ezra 1). While the initial return was met with overwhelming joy and disbelief (as described in Psalms 126:1-3), the reality on the ground was harsh. They faced a desolate homeland, ruined cities, opposition from surrounding peoples (e.g., Nehemiah 4), and the immense, often discouraging, task of rebuilding the Temple and the nation. The agricultural imagery of sowing and reaping would have resonated deeply with a people whose livelihood and very survival depended on the land's fruitfulness. The "weeping" reflects not just the physical toil of planting but also the emotional and spiritual anguish of their difficult circumstances and the deferred hope of full restoration.
  • Key Themes: The verse contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent theme is Sowing in Tears, Reaping in Joy, which articulates a spiritual law that costly, sacrificial labor, especially when undertaken with difficulty or sorrow, will inevitably yield a bountiful and joyful harvest. This theme is closely tied to Perseverance and Hope, encouraging believers to endure through trying times with the assurance that their labor in God's service is never in vain. The "doubtless" aspect underscores Divine Faithfulness, emphasizing the certainty of God's promise to honor sincere effort for His purposes. Furthermore, the "precious seed" symbolizes the Value of Sacrificial Effort—whether it be the Word of God shared, acts of service, prayers offered, or any costly endeavor for the Kingdom, it is "precious" because it demands a personal investment and anticipates a divine return. This principle is echoed in the New Testament's teaching on the spiritual harvest, as seen in John 4:35-38 and Galatians 6:7-9.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Weepeth (Hebrew, bâkâh', H1058): This primitive root signifies a deep emotional expression, encompassing not merely shedding tears but often implying lamentation, sorrow, or profound grief. In this context, it speaks to the arduousness, difficulty, and even pain associated with the act of sowing. It suggests a labor undertaken not out of ease or abundance, but out of necessity, sacrifice, and perhaps a sense of loss or struggle in the present moment, yet with an underlying hope for the future.
  • Seed (Hebrew, zeraʻ', H2233): This word literally means "seed" or "sowing," and figuratively refers to fruit, plant, or posterity. The KJV's addition of "precious" (derived from H4901, meshek, meaning "a sowing" or "possession/price") captures the implied value and costliness of the seed. In ancient agrarian societies, seed was not merely a commodity; it was the promise of future sustenance, often requiring a significant portion of the current harvest to be set aside for the next season's planting. To sow "precious seed" means to invest something valuable, something that might be needed immediately, into a future endeavor. Metaphorically, it represents any costly effort, sacrifice, or investment made for God's purposes, be it time, resources, energy, or even one's very life.
  • Sheaves (Hebrew, ʼălummâh', H485): This noun refers to something bound, specifically a bundle of harvested grain. These bundles represent the tangible, abundant, and successful outcome of the planting process. The "sheaves" stand in stark contrast to the individual, small "seeds." They symbolize the full, joyful, and often overwhelming return on the initial investment, signifying a harvest that far outweighs the initial sorrowful sowing, demonstrating God's bountiful provision.

Verse Breakdown

  • "He that goeth forth": This phrase implies intentional action and a deliberate step taken to engage in labor. It suggests initiative and commitment, indicating that the person is actively involved in the process, not passively waiting for results. It speaks to the active participation required in the spiritual life and in serving God's purposes.
  • "and weepeth": This clause highlights the emotional and spiritual cost associated with the "going forth." The weeping signifies hardship, struggle, sacrifice, and perhaps even a sense of discouragement or pain in the present moment. It acknowledges that faithful labor for God's kingdom is not always easy or joyful in its inception, but can involve significant personal cost and emotional distress.
  • "bearing precious seed": This specifies the nature of the "going forth." The individual is not empty-handed but carries something valuable and essential for future growth. The "precious seed" represents the investment—the Word of God, acts of service, prayers, financial contributions, or any costly effort made for the sake of the Kingdom. It emphasizes that what is sown is not trivial but holds immense potential and requires personal sacrifice.
  • "shall doubtless come again": This is the core promise and the absolute certainty of the verse. The word "doubtless" (Hebrew, bôwʼ, H935, used emphatically as bo yavo) is a strong emphatic construction, meaning "surely come" or "certainly come." It removes any ambiguity about the outcome, guaranteeing that the return is not a possibility but an inevitability, secured by divine faithfulness.
  • "with rejoicing": This contrasts sharply with the "weeping" of the sowing. The sorrow of the present is transformed into overwhelming joy in the future. This joy is not merely relief but a profound exultation, a celebration of God's faithfulness and the abundant fruit of sustained labor.
  • "bringing his sheaves [with him]": This final phrase describes the tangible evidence of the successful harvest. The "sheaves" represent the abundant and visible results of the initial, costly sowing. The return is not just emotional ("rejoicing") but also substantial and evident ("bringing his sheaves"), signifying a complete and bountiful fulfillment of the promise.

Literary Devices

Psalms 126:6 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound message. The most prominent is Metaphor, where the act of sowing and reaping in agriculture serves as a powerful analogy for spiritual labor and its eventual reward. The "precious seed" and "sheaves" are not merely literal but symbolize costly effort and abundant fruit in the spiritual realm. There is also clear Antithetical Parallelism between "weepeth" and "rejoicing," highlighting the dramatic transformation from sorrow to joy. This is complemented by Synthetic Parallelism, where the second half of the verse ("shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves") expands upon and completes the thought of the first half ("He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed"). The entire verse is a masterful example of Imagery, drawing on the familiar and visceral experience of ancient farming to communicate a profound spiritual truth, making the abstract concept of perseverance and divine reward concrete and relatable. Finally, the use of the emphatic "doubtless" (Hebrew, bôwʼ yâbôwʼ) functions as a strong Affirmation or Assurance, reinforcing the certainty of the promise and God's unwavering commitment to His faithful laborers.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse encapsulates a fundamental biblical principle: God honors faithful, sacrificial labor, transforming seasons of difficulty and sorrow into seasons of abundant joy and fruitfulness. It speaks to the divine economy where investment, even at a personal cost, yields a guaranteed return. This principle extends beyond individual spiritual growth to the broader work of God's kingdom, assuring that evangelism, discipleship, and acts of justice, though often challenging and met with resistance, will ultimately bear fruit. It underscores God's sovereignty over the harvest and His unwavering commitment to His promises, providing immense encouragement for those who feel their efforts are unseen or unrewarded in the present.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalms 126:6 offers profound encouragement for every believer navigating the complexities of life and faith. It reminds us that spiritual growth, effective ministry, and societal transformation rarely occur without significant personal investment and often, a measure of hardship. When we feel overwhelmed by the challenges of sharing the Gospel, serving the needy, or simply persevering in our own walk with God, this verse assures us that our "precious seed"—our prayers, our time, our resources, our tears—are not wasted. It calls us to embrace the process of sowing, even when it demands sacrifice and brings sorrow, trusting in the divine promise of a future harvest. This is a call to patient endurance, to a faith that looks beyond immediate gratification to the certain, joyful return that God guarantees. It challenges us to identify what "precious seed" God is calling us to sow in our lives today, knowing that the weeping of the present will inevitably give way to the rejoicing of the future.

Questions for Reflection

  • What "precious seed" is God calling me to sow in my life or ministry right now, even if it involves personal cost or sorrow?
  • In what areas of my life am I currently "weeping" as I sow, and how can this verse encourage me to persevere with hope?
  • How does the certainty of "doubtless come again with rejoicing" impact my perspective on current struggles or seemingly unfruitful efforts?
  • What "sheaves" am I longing to see, and how does this verse deepen my trust in God's timing and faithfulness for the harvest?

FAQ

What does "precious seed" represent in a modern context?

Answer: In a modern context, "precious seed" can represent any valuable investment or sacrifice made for the Kingdom of God and for the good of others. This might include sharing the Gospel with a resistant friend, faithfully serving in a challenging ministry, giving generously when it feels like a sacrifice, investing time in discipling others, persevering in prayer for a difficult situation, or even enduring personal trials with faith and integrity. It is "precious" because it costs something significant to the sower, yet holds immense potential for future spiritual fruit and divine blessing.

Does this verse guarantee immediate or material blessings for every act of "sowing"?

Answer: No, this verse does not guarantee immediate or purely material blessings. The "rejoicing" and "sheaves" primarily refer to a spiritual harvest and the deep joy that comes from seeing God's purposes fulfilled, often in His timing and in ways that transcend material gain. While God may bless materially, the core promise is about the certainty of spiritual fruit, vindication, and joy that comes from faithful perseverance through hardship. The harvest might be souls, character development, answered prayer, or the establishment of God's justice, rather than immediate financial prosperity. The principle is about the ultimate triumph of God's work through His faithful servants, as seen in Matthew 13:23.

What if I don't see the "rejoicing" or "sheaves" in my lifetime?

Answer: The promise of "doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves" extends beyond an individual's immediate experience to the broader scope of God's redemptive plan and eternal purposes. While some harvests may be seen in this life, many acts of faithful sowing contribute to a larger, ongoing work that may only be fully realized in future generations or in eternity. The Bible assures us that our labor in the Lord is never in vain, even if we don't witness the full fruit (as in 1 Corinthians 15:58). The ultimate "rejoicing" is often tied to the eschatological hope of Christ's return and the full establishment of His Kingdom, where every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4).

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 126:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent Sower who "went forth and wept," not merely with tears of sorrow, but with the agony of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46) and the ultimate sacrifice on the cross (John 19:17-30), "bearing precious seed"—His very life, offered for the redemption of humanity. His suffering, death, and burial were the ultimate act of "sowing in tears," a costly investment that seemed, in the moment, to be a tragic loss. Yet, because of His perfect obedience and infinite love, He "doubtless came again with rejoicing," not only in His glorious resurrection (Luke 24:1-12) but also in His ascension and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, "bringing His sheaves"—the vast harvest of souls redeemed by His blood, the church, and the promise of a new creation. Every believer who "goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed" participates in the pattern of Christ's suffering and glory, knowing that just as He sowed in sorrow and reaped in joy, so too will those who follow Him experience the transformation of their tears into an eternal harvest, secured by His finished work on the cross and His triumphant resurrection, as promised in John 12:24.

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Commentary on Psalms 126 verses 4–6

These verses look forward to the mercies that were yet wanted. Those that had come out of captivity were still in distress, even in their own land (Neh 1:3), and many yet remained in Babylon; and therefore they rejoiced with trembling, and bore upon their hearts the grievances that were yet to be redressed. We have here, 1. A prayer for the perfecting of their deliverance (Psa 126:4): "Turn again our captivity. Let those that have returned to their own land be eased of the burdens which they are yet groaning under. Let those that remain in Babylon have their hearts stirred up, as ours were, to take the benefit of the liberty granted." The beginnings of mercy are encouragements to us to pray for the completing of it. And while we are here in this world there will still be matter for prayer, even when we are most furnished with matter for praise. And, when we are free and in prosperity ourselves, we must not be unmindful of our brethren that are in trouble and under restraint. The bringing of those that were yet in captivity to join with their brethren that had returned would be as welcome to both sides as streams of water in those countries, which, lying far south, were parched and dry. As cold water to a thirsty soul, so would this good news be from that far country, Pro 25:25. 2. A promise for their encouragement to wait for it, assuring them that, though they had now a sorrowful time, yet it would end well. But the promise is expressed generally, that all the saints may comfort themselves with this confidence, that their seedness of tears will certainly end in a harvest of joy at last, Psa 126:5, Psa 126:6. (1.) Suffering saints have a seedness of tears. They are in tears often; they share in the calamities of human life, and commonly have a greater share in them than others. But they sow in tears; they do the duty of an afflicted state and so answer the intentions of the providences they are under. Weeping must not hinder sowing; when we suffer ill we must be doing well. Nay, as the ground is by the rain prepared for the seed, and the husbandman sometimes chooses to sow in the wet, so we must improve times of affliction, as disposing us to repentance, and prayer, and humiliation. Nay, there are tears which are themselves the seed that we must sow, tears of sorrow for sin, our own and others, tears of sympathy with the afflicted church, and the tears of tenderness in prayer and under the word. These are precious seed, such as the husbandman sows when corn is dear and he has but little for his family, and therefore weeps to part with it, yet buries it under ground, in expectation of receiving it again with advantage. Thus does a good man sow in tears. (2.) They shall have a harvest of joy. The troubles of the saints will not last always, but, when they have done their work, shall have a happy period. The captives in Babylon were long sowing in tears, but at length they were brought forth with joy, and then they reaped the benefit of their patient suffering, and brought their sheaves with them to their own land, in their experiences of the goodness of God to them. Job, and Joseph, and David, and many others, had harvests of joy after a sorrowful seedness. Those that sow in the tears of godly sorrow shall reap in the joy of a sealed pardon and a settled peace. Those that sow to the spirit, in this vale of tears, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting, and that will be a joyful harvest indeed. Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be for ever comforted.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 4–6. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
SERMON 102:5
So it is only proper, brothers and sisters, that you should be told these things. Attend to the poor, whether they are lying there or whether they are walking about; attend to the poor, do good works. If you are in the habit of doing so, do so; if you are not in the habit of doing so, do so. Let there be an increase in the number of do-gooders, because there is an increase, certainly, in the number of the faithful. When you do something, you cannot yet see the quantity of the good you do; just as when the countryman sows he cannot yet see the crop, but he trusts the earth. You then, why don’t you trust God? Our harvest is coming. Imagine that we are now toiling away in what we do, toiling away as we work, only to reap the benefit in due course, as it is written: “Going they were going and weeping, casting their seed; but coming they shall come with rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.”
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 126
How, my brethren? When the farmer goes forth with the plough, carrying seed, is not the wind sometimes keen, and does not the shower sometimes deter him? He looks to the sky, sees it lowering, shivers with cold, nevertheless goes forth, and sows. For he fears lest while he is observing the foul weather, and awaiting sunshine, the time may pass away, and he may not find anything to reap. Put not off, my brethren; sow in wintry weather, sow good works, even while you weep; for, "They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy." They sow their seed, good will, and good works. "They went on their way and wept, casting their seed" [Psalm 126:6]. Why did they weep? Because they were among the miserable, and were themselves miserable. It is better, my brethren, that no man should be miserable, than that you should do alms....Nevertheless, as long as there are objects for its exercise, let us not fail amid those troubles to sow our seed. Although we sow in tears, yet shall we reap in joy. For in that resurrection of the dead, each man shall receive his own sheaves, that is, the produce of his seed, the crown of joys and of delight. Then will there be a joyous triumph, when we shall laugh at death, wherein we groaned before: then shall they say to death, "O death, where is your strife? O death, where is your sting?" [1 Corinthians 15:55] But why do they now rejoice? Because "they bring their sheaves with them."
Augustine of HippoAD 430
SERMON 11:3
I say this so that we should not nurse hopes of receiving the fruits of our sowing during this time in which we have done the sowing. Here we sow with toil a harvest of good works, but it is in the time to come that we shall garner its fruits with joy, according to what is written: “Going they sent and wept, scattering their seed; but coming they will come with rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.”
Augustine of HippoAD 430
SERMON 31:1-2
This psalm [126], being sung to the Lord, seems to fit the holy martyrs; but if we are members of Christ, as we ought to be, we can take these words as referring to all of us: “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Going they shall go and weep, casting their seed. But coming they shall come with merrymaking, carrying their sheaves.” Where are they going, and where are they coming from? What are they sowing in tears? What is the seed, what are the sheaves? Going into death, coming from death; going by being born, coming by rising again. Sowing is whatever good we have done; our sheaves, what we shall receive at the end. So if the seed is good, the works are good, why “in tears,” seeing that God loves a cheerful giver?27The first thing to notice, dearly beloved, is how these words above all suit the blessed martyrs. Nobody, after all, has spent as much as those who have spent their very selves, as the apostle Paul says: “And I myself will be spent for your souls.” They spent themselves by confessing Christ and by carrying out with his help the saying “You have sat at a great table; know that you must prepare similar things yourself.” What is the meaning of “know that you must prepare similar things yourself,” if not what the blessed John explains: “Just as Christ laid down his life for us, so we too ought to lay down our lives for the brethren”? There you are, that is how much they spent.
Caesarius of ArlesAD 542
SERMON 8:5
I beseech you with fatherly solicitude, equally admonishing and exhorting you, as was already said, to endeavor continually to read the sacred lessons yourselves or willingly to listen to others read them. By thus always thinking over in the treasury of your heart what is just and holy, you may prepare for your souls an eternal spiritual food that will bring you endless bliss. Christ does not lie when he says in the person of his apostle, “What a person sows, that he will also reap.” With God’s help let us endeavor to continually plant in the field of our heart by reading, praying and performing good works those deeds whereof we may reap a harvest of justice and mercy on the future day of retribution. Then will be fulfilled in us what is written: “Going, they went and wept, casting their seeds. But coming, they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.” To this happiness may the good Lord lead you, who, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns world without end.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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