Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
The Lord has done great things for us. We are filled with
joyPsalm 126
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1
A Song of Ascents.When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
then we thought we were dreaming.2 Our mouths were filled with
laughter; our tongues sang for joy. Then it was said among the
nations, The LORD had done great things for them.3 The LORD has
done great things for us; Oh, how happy we were!4 Restore again our
fortunes, LORD, like the dry stream beds of the Negeb.5 Those who
sow in tears will reap with cries of joy.6 Those who go forth
weeping, carrying sacks of seed, Will return with cries of joy,
carrying their bundled sheaves.
Fifteen psalms, chapters 120-134 of the Book of Psalms, begin
with the words, "A song of ascents.What do we mean by A song of
ascents, well there are a number of meanings.In the Temple
courtyard, there was a wide stairway that consisted of fifteen
large, semi-circular steps that "ascended" into the inner section
of the courtyard. The Levites, whose job it was to accompany the
Temple servicewith song and instrumental music, would stand on
these steps and sing these fifteen psalms.Another view is that
these psalms were sung by the Jews who ascended from Babylon to
Israel in the times of Ezra the Scribe which would be about the
time that this particular psalm was written.Another explanation is
that these psalms were sung by Jews as they ascend the mountain top
on which Jerusalem and Temple were located.
we were dreaming, v. 1After being held captive in Babylon, Cyrus
the Gentile Persian king allowed the Jews who were willing to
return to Jerusalem to worship their God and rebuild their
temple.His granting permission to leave must have seemed like a
dream to the Jews.On our way to the confessional dont you feel like
a captive to your sins?And when you leave the confessional doesnt
it feel like a dream ?You are free of your captivity of sin and are
restored to friendship with God.restored the fortunes of Zion,
(v.1) prior to the captivity people were living well in Israel, now
they would have to begin again and work hard just to get back to
where they were prior to the captivity.Then it was said among the
nations, The Lord has done great things for them. (v. 2)
Receiving their freedom so suddenly and at the hands of a
Gentile king, all nations must have agreed that the God of Israel
had great power.Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy!
(v. 5)This means that the people who are suffering, in pain, and
crying due to lifes circumstances will find joy when God enters
their lives to alleviate their suffering.