-
Psalms 126:1-5 open_in_new
This is one of the «Songs of Degrees.» They are supposed to have been sung as the pilgrim caravan was going up to the temple at Jerusalem. Every time they halted and pitched their tents, they sang a Psalm. If carefully read, it will be found that these Psalms exhibit a real advance in experience.
For instance, the keynote of the 125 th is stability, while that of the 126 th is joy, and especially joyful hope. Each one appears to advance a stage higher than the one that precedes it.
Psalms 126:1. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
«It seemed too good to be true. We were in a delirium of joy: ‘We were like them that dream.' Our slumber had been profound; we thought that God had altogether forgotten us; but when we found that he was coming to our rescue, ‘we were like them that dream.'»
Psalms 126:2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing:
«We wanted to express our joy, so laughter came, which is a natural, unartificial mode of expressing delight. Our mouth was filled with laughter. We not only laughed, but we laughed again and again, even as Abraham laughed when a son was promised to him, and as Sarah laughed when Isaac was born.»
Psalms 126:2. Then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
It is a fine time when even the heathen begin to see the joy of believers. They could not help hearing and seeing it, and with astonishment they said, «Jehovah hath done great things for them,» to which the godly replied that it was so. They were not at all ashamed to own it. They had not any of that unhallowed modesty which is afraid to speak to the glory of God, but they said:
Psalms 126:3. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
I heard a brother, at a prayer-meeting some time ago, say, «Whereof we desire to be glad.» That is not what these people said; and if the Lord has done great things for you, you are glad, not only do you desire to be glad, but you are so. It is always a pity to try to improve on Holy Scripture, for it does not need to be improved upon. When the Lord does great things for his people, they are as glad as they can be, and they cannot help saying so.
Psalms 126:4. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
The river-beds, when the Southern torrents have been dried up, seem to be nothing but a gathering of stones and dust. Then comes a copious rain, bringing a sudden flush of water, and the captivity of the stream is gone. That is the meaning of the prayer: «Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.»
Psalms 126:5-19. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Notice that word «doubtless.» If you have any doubt about it in your own case, may the Lord drive all your doubts away! When God says «doubtless», we must not be doubtful: «He shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.»
-
Psalms 126:1-6 open_in_new
Psalms 126:1. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
We could hardly believe it; we began to talk incoherently, as men do in their sleep. We were so carried away with joyful rapture that we did not know where we were: «we were like them that dream.»
Psalms 126:2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
We became Issacs, for he was the child of laughter. We laughed as Abraham did, for very joy of faith. Sometimes, laughter may become the holiest possible expression. It may be one of the meanest utterances of our nature, but it may also be one of the loftiest. These people not only laughed, but their mouth was filled with laughter; they could not laugh loudly enough, there was no expression of articulate speech that sufficed them at all: «Then was our mouth filled with laughter,»
Psalms 126:2. And our tongue with singing:
When they did find their tongue, they could not speak, they must sing. They could not have anything so slow as a mere declaration, they must have a Psalm: «Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.»
Psalms 126:2. Then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
The heathen could not help seeing that it was the Lord who had delivered Israel. No other people except the Jews ever came back from captivity. The Babylonish tyrant never restored any others to their land, but he did restore these people; and the very heathen said, «It is their God, Jehovah, that hath done it.» And what did God's own people say?
Psalms 126:3. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
See the difference between the outsider and the insider. The outsider says, «The Lord hath done great things for them.» Ah! but they who belong to God say, «The Lord hath done great things for us.» Oh, the privilege of being able to say «for us!» Dear hears, can you join with all the saints, and say, «The Lord hath done great things for us»? This is what happened to God's people before, but now they have fallen into another trouble, so hear how they pray.
Psalms 126:4. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
«Thou didst it once; do it again. Thou madest us to live; make us to live again. We sang then, O Lord; enable us to sing again, ‘Turn again our captivity.' As the dry river-beds are suddenly made to be filled with water at the melting of the snow, so come, and fill our hearts, ‘as the streams in the south.'»
Psalms 126:5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Take that for certain; lay it down as a Scripture proverb. When God sends us a wet time, and we have to sow in the moist foggy atmosphere, never mind; there are brighter days yet to come. We shall reap amid the sunbeams, and carry home our sheaves with joy.
Psalms 126:6. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
«He shall doubtless come again with rejoicing.» Now, ye disconsolate workers, ye who have only a handful of seed, ye shall come back with an armful of sheaves. You shall come back rejoicing though you go forth now sorrowing, for the Lord has said it; wherefore be of good courage.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 126:1. and 127.