Chapter Overview
Summary
Psalm 126 (MT) / Psalm 125 (LXX) is the seventh Song of Ascents — a post-exilic return-thanksgiving mingled with present-petition. 'When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream' (v. 1) captures the astonishment of exile-reversal. Verses 5–6 — 'those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy' — has become a classic suffering-produces-fruit text.
Notable Variants
126:1 'like those who dream' astonishment-of-return; 126:5–6 'sow in tears / reap in joy' suffering-and-harvest theology; Babel-return post-exilic context.
Structural Notes
MT Ps 126 = LXX Ps 125. 6 verses. Seventh Song of Ascents.
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like dreamers.
'When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream' tracks MT. LIKE-THOSE-WHO-DREAM — the return-from-Babylon astonishment. The exile-reversal was too-good-to-be-fully-believable, dreamlike.
Then our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for these people."
'Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations: The LORD has done great things for them' tracks MT. NATIONS-ACKNOWLEDGE-GOD's-WORK. Luke 1:49 Magnificat ('he who is mighty has done GREAT THINGS for me'), extends.
The LORD has done great things for us — we are filled with joy.
'The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad' tracks MT.
Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev.
'Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!' tracks MT. NEGEB-STREAMS — dry-wadis that flash-flood in winter rains. The petition for present-renewal matching the past-return.
Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.
'Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!' tracks MT. SOW-IN-TEARS / REAP-IN-JOY. Matthew 5:4 ('blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted') and John 16:20 ('your sorrow will turn into joy') extend Christologically. 2 Corinthians 4:17 ('this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory').
The one who goes out weeping, carrying the bag of seed, will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.
'He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him' tracks MT. WEEPING-SOWER / JOYFUL-REAPER. John 4:36–38's harvest-theology ('the reaper is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together') extends.