Psalms 126:6

Psalms 126:6

I. This text, taken in its largest significance, is to be classed with those passages of Scripture which speak of the reward of good works, and use that reward as a motive to their performance. If, then, it be lawful to speak of reward, we may certainly speak of the husbandman who "goeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed," as "coming again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." It will frequently happen that we have no means of ascertaining that any beneficial results have been produced by our most earnest and disinterested labours; and it is quite possible that no such results have followed, and that they never will follow. And yet even in this extreme case you can only suppose that the retributions of eternity will abundantly prove the statements of our text. To every action will be allotted a recompense, to every sacrifice a reward.

II. The text is a promise which is admirably fitted for preserving us against becoming weary in well-doing. It meets that feeling of despondency which those who labour for God are often tempted to entertain. There must be no such thing as the giving up in despair because hitherto we seem to have been toiling in vain. We cannot tell that it has been in vain. We are rather bound to believe that it has not been in vain. The text should lead us in every case where there seems no result from our labours to examine whether we have faithfully complied with its precept whether there has been diligence in sowing the seed, and whether it has been "precious seed" we have sown.

H. Melvill, Penny Pulpit,No. 2460.

References: Psalms 126:6. A. Scott, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xix., p. 186; Spurgeon, Sermons,vol.. xv., No. 867; A. C. Price, Christian World Pulpit,vol. vi., p. 206. Psalms 126 S. Baring-Gould, One Hundred Sermon Sketches,p. 86; W. Baird, The Hallowing of our Common Life,p. 31.Psalms 126 S. Cox, The Pilgrim Psalms,p. 132; M. R. Vincent, Gates into the Psalm Country.p. 283; M. Nicholson, Communion with Heaven,p. 152.