Bible Commentaries
Psalms 126

Verses 1-6

PSALM 126

The ransomed of the Lord return to Zion with songs and everlasting joy ( Isa_35:10 ).

In Psa_124:7 , the godly are viewed as having escaped from their enemies; in Psalm 125 , they realize that, being set free, the Lord is their protection on every hand; in Psalm 126 , reviewing the way the Lord had wrought on their behalf, they break forth into praise and singing.

(vv. 1-3) The intervention of the Lord had been so unforeseen and complete that, like a dream, it was almost beyond belief (Comp. Luk_24:41 ). This intervention is of a twofold character. Zion itself is set free from the rule of the enemy, to be followed by the full deliverance of the whole nation of Israel. The city to which they are going is delivered from its long ages of captivity. This leads to the joy of Israel, and to the Lord being glorified among the heathen. They will say, “The Lord hath done great things for them”; while the remnant themselves gladly ascribe all praise to the Lord, saying, “The Lord hath done great things for us.”

(vv. 4-5) Zion is delivered, but Israel is not yet fully established in their land. Thus they pray that their return from captivity may be as the streams in the south which, commencing as a trickling rill, become swollen with the rain into rivers that bring blessing and fertility to the parched land.

During long years of captivity they had sown in tears; now they will reap in joy the fruits of all the chastening they had passed through.

(v. 6) In the closing verse it would seem that the Spirit of God leads the psalmist to see that Christ had been before them in the path that they are treading. He speaks no longer of “They that sow in tears,” but of One, “He that goeth forth and weepeth.” In the days of His humiliation Christ had sown “precious seed,” and watered it with His tears, and He will come again with a great harvest of souls. He will see of the fruit of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.