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.»