Read Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
Go Deeper
The title given to this psalm—Zion’s Restoration, A Pilgrim Song/A Song of Ascents—provides the backdrop for the passage. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a pilgrim as “a person who travels to a holy place for religious reasons.” In this context, the sacred place was Jerusalem, often referred to as Zion, as Jews were most likely returning from Babylonian captivity.
It seemed they were living in a dream after 70 years of exile; joy, laughter, and songs radiated from them as they journeyed back to their homeland, giving credit to the Lord who had done great things for them (v. 2-3). As the returning exiles caught sight of Mount Zion, they were filled with gratitude to be back in their own land. The surrounding nations were familiar with their captivity and took notice, and they looked in awe of God who had fulfilled His word and brought His people back.
The closer they drew to Jerusalem, the more apparent it became that their homeland was in desperate need of restoration. Think of returning to a childhood home after many years and finding a dilapidated house with overgrown landscape, but on a much larger scale. The Israelites looked upon their city and realized there was much work to be done. Life is often like a set of parallel railroad tracks, as joy and sadness can coexist. One does not negate the other. What a gamut of emotions the people must have experienced as described in verse 5: “Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.” The people acknowledged that God had done an amazing work in the past, and begged and trusted Him to do it again.
One of God’s past works they surely recalled is found in Joshua 4. This speaks of the memorial stones the Jews took from the middle of the Jordan River after God parted the waters during the spring flood stage and commanded them to cross over, requiring great faith from the people. Joshua knew the importance of remembering: “When your children ask their fathers in the future—what is the meaning of these stones—tell your children Israel crossed over on dry ground. This is so all the people of the earth may know that the Lord’s hand is mighty, and that you may always fear the Lord your God” (Joshua 4:22, 24).
Questions
- Are you in a place of captivity right now, desperate for release? Are you daily trusting God to use this time to refine and shape you for His purposes?
- If you are in a place of freedom, have you shared your story with fellow believers to encourage them on their journeys? Share this with your Life Group this week.
- What are your “stones of remembrance” where you have seen the hand of God move mightily? Write them down for future reference.
Listen Here
The lyrics of this song resonate with the message of Psalm 126. Be encouraged to trust in the faithfulness of our God who moved heaven and earth to save us.
One response to “Psalm 126”
I know that life is seasonal. We have full rich seasons, then dry creek bed seasons. When you get into the drying out season you have to remember the full, overflowing season. Continue to search God’s Word, being thoughtful to those around us and what seasons of joy or lament they are in. Be a light to a dark world. ABIDE
John 15 1-6
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ..
Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. God is the gardener. Abiding in Jesus, while God prunes and shapes my life. John 14:6 “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”
God thank You for Your Word. Thank You for rich full seasons, and the dry creek bed seasons. Thank You for peace in the troubles, truth in the “how” and joy in the restlessness because You are my gardener. God thank You for my abiding Jesus and listening with shema hearing to the Holy Spirit. God I am so thankful for wisdom and knowledge of You and Your Word. God thank You for all the BUT GOD moments that You have given me. Thank You for the dry bed season to remember how You are soo soo good. God thank You for today, these minutes and that I can see You, feel You, and show You to others through my love for You in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!