Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word
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⚙ Annotations & References ▾
Themes 4 ▾
Exile and Return 1 Redemption 2 Joy 2, 5 Blessing and Curse 2
Historic voices 6 ▾
Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews 1× 1 Church History (Historia Ecclesiastica) 1× 1-2 Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Apophthegmata Patrum) 1× 5 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 1× 1-5 Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament 1× 1, 4 Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary 1× 1, 4
Manuscript witnesses 5 ▾
Codex Sinaiticus Aleph c. AD 330-360 Codex Vaticanus B c. AD 300-325 Codex Alexandrinus A c. AD 400-440 Aleppo Codex (Crown of Aleppo) c. AD 930 Leningrad Codex (Codex Leningradensis) AD 1008
Cross-references 67 ▾
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What is Psalms 126 about?

Recalling a greater deliverance, this Song of Ascents remembers when the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion and their mouths were filled with laughter, so that even the heathen confessed the great things God had done. Now the returned yet struggling people pray that He would turn their captivity again like the streams reviving the parched south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy, and he who goes out weeping, bearing precious seed, shall come again rejoicing with his sheaves. The pattern of sorrow giving way to harvest steadies the faith of God's people between deliverance and its fullness.

Historical backdrop

These are the songbook of a nation, sung across a thousand years of Israel's worship, from Moses in the wilderness to the exiles returned from Babylon. They were carried from the tabernacle to Solomon's temple to the second temple rebuilt under Persia, set to the lyre and the harp and the clash of cymbals in the courts of the LORD.

Matthew Henry on Psalms 126
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 126
The Church Fathers on Psalms 126

Psalms 126

Psalms Chapter 126
126
1When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto them that dream.
2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing: Then said they among the nations, Jehovah hath done great things for them.
3Jehovah hath done great things for us, Whereofwe are glad.
4Turn again our captivity, O Jehovah, As the streams in the South.
5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
← Chapter 125 Chapter 127 →
What is Psalms 126 about?

Recalling a greater deliverance, this Song of Ascents remembers when the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion and their mouths were filled with laughter, so that even the heathen confessed the great things God had done. Now the returned yet struggling people pray that He would turn their captivity again like the streams reviving the parched south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy, and he who goes out weeping, bearing precious seed, shall come again rejoicing with his sheaves. The pattern of sorrow giving way to harvest steadies the faith of God's people between deliverance and its fullness.