Psalms 126 (NASB)
Thanksgiving for Return from Captivity.
A Song of Ascents.
1 When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter
And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
We are glad.
4 Restore our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.
6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126 is identified as “A Song of Assent” in the New American Standard Bible, and as “A Song of Degrees” in the King James. This can be understood to mean that it is a song to lift one’s spirit as he ascends from trial and is traveling to God’s promised land.
[V1] It was (presumably) written to praise God on the return of the portion of Israel held captive in Babylon. He turned the captivity back to Jerusalem. After the years as slaves, the return was dreamlike in its sweetness.
[v2] The Joy of returning caused much merriment and singing. But the joy was to be a sign to all the nations, and the people were to point out the fact that God was doing great things not only for Israel but for all mankind. The people of God are to be a lamp unto all nations, not just hoarders of the light!
[V3] The great things that God has done for Israel has made Israel glad (just as His great deeds will do great things for the rest of the world)
[v4] Returns to where we were taken captive.
[V5] Those that began life’s labor in captivity (sow in tears) but remained faithful and expectant toward the Lord’s salvation will reap the grain that grew from those seeds.
[V6] The fruit of the harvest will be brought back from captivity and restored to Israel.
Thanksgiving for Return from Captivity.
A Song of Ascents.
1 When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter
And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
We are glad.
4 Restore our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.
6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126 is identified as “A Song of Assent” in the New American Standard Bible, and as “A Song of Degrees” in the King James. This can be understood to mean that it is a song to lift one’s spirit as he ascends from trial and is traveling to God’s promised land.
[V1] It was (presumably) written to praise God on the return of the portion of Israel held captive in Babylon. He turned the captivity back to Jerusalem. After the years as slaves, the return was dreamlike in its sweetness.
[v2] The Joy of returning caused much merriment and singing. But the joy was to be a sign to all the nations, and the people were to point out the fact that God was doing great things not only for Israel but for all mankind. The people of God are to be a lamp unto all nations, not just hoarders of the light!
[V3] The great things that God has done for Israel has made Israel glad (just as His great deeds will do great things for the rest of the world)
[v4] Returns to where we were taken captive.
[V5] Those that began life’s labor in captivity (sow in tears) but remained faithful and expectant toward the Lord’s salvation will reap the grain that grew from those seeds.
[V6] The fruit of the harvest will be brought back from captivity and restored to Israel.