Psalms 126

1 When the Lord brought us back to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!

2 How we laughed, how we sang for joy! Then the other nations said about us, "The Lord did great things for them."

3 Indeed he did great things for us; how happy we were!

4 Lord, make us prosperous again, just as the rain brings water back to dry riverbeds.

5 Let those who wept as they planted their crops, gather the harvest with joy!

6 Those who wept as they went out carrying the seed will come back singing for joy, as they bring in the harvest.

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Psalms 126 Commentary

Chapter 126

Those returned out of captivity are to be thankful. (1-3) Those yet in captivity are encouraged. (4-6)

Verses 1-3 It is good to observe how God's deliverances of the church are for us, that we may rejoice in them. And how ought redemption from the wrath to come, from the power of sin and of Satan, to be valued! The sinner convinced of his guilt and danger, when by looking to a crucified Saviour he receives peace to his conscience, and power to break off his sins, often can scarcely believe that the prospect which opens to him is a reality.

Verses 4-6 The beginnings of mercies encourage us to pray for the completion of them. And while we are in this world there will be matter for prayer, even when we are most furnished with matter for praise. Suffering saints are often in tears; they share the calamities of human life, and commonly have a greater share than others. But they sow in tears; they do the duty of an afflicted state. Weeping must not hinder sowing; we must get good from times of affliction. And they that sow, in the tears of godly sorrow, to the Spirit, 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. When we mourn for our sins, or suffer for Christ's sake, we are sowing in tears, to reap in joy. And remember that God is not mocked; for whatever a man soweth that shall he reap, Ga. 6:7-9 . Here, O disciple of Jesus, behold an emblem of thy present labour and future reward; the day is coming when thou shalt reap in joy, plentiful shall be thy harvest, and great shall be thy joy in the Lord.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Footnotes 2

[a]. brought us back to Jerusalem; [or] made Jerusalem prosperous again.
[b]. make us prosperous again; [or] take us back to our land.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 126

\\<>\\. This psalm is generally thought to have been written by Ezra, or some good man returned from the Babylonish captivity, and on account of it: the inscription in the Syriac version of it, besides observing it to be a song of degrees or ascents, and without a name, is, ``it is said of Haggai and Zechariah, who came up out of Babylon with the captives; but spiritually; and it is an expectation of good things to come.'' It may have respect to redemption by the Messiah; and the conversion of the Jews in the latter day.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible