Psalm 126

This is the 7th of 15 Psalms of Ascent.

First, my translation:

PSALM 126
A song of ascents.
When YHWH ended the sojourn of Zion, we became refreshed, like people who have just woken from a dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, our tongue with a cry of joy.
Then among the nations they said, “YHWH has done a great thing with these people!”
YHWH has done a great thing with us.
We have become filled with joy.
Restore the captives, O YHWH, like wadis in the Negeb.
Those sowing in tears will reap the harvest in a cry of joy.
Surely he who goes out (and weeps), carrying his pouch of seed, will come in with a cry of joy, carrying as much bundled harvest as he is able!


When the LORD ended the sojourn of Zion… Does this not describe our condition? Are we not sojourners? We are not captive, yet we have not yet reached the promised land. How will it be when we finally arrive at home? How will we react when we see our Father, our Savior, our Breath of Life face to face? Will we not be like those who dream? “This is too good to be true!” Will our mouths not be filled with laughter? Will our throats not send forth cries of joy?

Or maybe, as this translation suggests, we will not be like dreamers. Rather, we will be like those who have just awakened from a dream. We will experience a reality that is more real, not less, than what we experience here and now. I am not denying the reality of this world but proposing the super-reality of the world to come. We will be refreshed. We will awaken from the deep sleep of death and will breathe the sweet, clean air of eternity.

The restoration of the captives is a foreshadowing of our eternal restoration in Christ. We must know that we will reap a harvest in time. Our identity must be so tied up with Christ that we know we are not at home here. Our sights must be set on eternity. The decisions we make must be based on this reality, and because we live “out of step” with the world, we should expect to suffer. When we hold fast to our faith (like Daniel) and speak truth boldly (like Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael in Daniel 3:17-18), the world may be impressed or it may turn against us. But even in the fire, the Son of God will accompany us (Daniel 3:25).

Are we not rejoicing even now? We should be! We are going home, and the LORD is leading us. Shouldn’t our mouths be filled with laughter, our tongues with a cry of joy (the sound I can most liken this to is the interjections often heard in Mexican music)-- a big “woo-hoo!” The Negeb (v. 4), a dry and desolate place, can quickly turn into a land of flowing streams after the rains come. We must wait in hope for the Lord to transform our desolation. We who sow in tears will reap more than we can possibly carry. But, I notice two things here. First, we must go out. No matter what our circumstances, even through the tears, we must faithfully press on. This is an act of faith. Second, we must carry our pouch of seed. We do not rely on God to do everything. We are active participants. Whatever we are sowing to in the Lord, we should work at it with all of our hearts. In time, we will reap a joyful harvest, for we know that our work in the Lord will not be in vain.

What an encouraging song. (Have you ever sung the Matt Redman version in a jubilant assembly? I have, and it is truly wonderful!) What the Lord has done for Israel, he will do for us. We are part of a nation of overcomers. The nations know it. They will see it again. Let us live in the knowledge that we are blessed, that we have a great God, that we serve the Great Redeemer, the Giver of Life, the Fount of Eternal Joy. The Lord has indeed done great things for us and is doing a great thing with us…and we are filled with joy!