Psalms 126:1-6
1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.a
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing preciousb seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalms 126:4. The streams in the south, which water the dry lands by periodical rains and melted snows, and so make them to bring forth the most abundant harvests.
REFLECTIONS.
When the Jews were led to Babylon, they were much discouraged. They went weeping, and almost naked. When the edict of Cyrus was published to let them go, to rebuild their city and sanctuary, it was as the awaking from a troublesome night of captivity, to the joyful morning of liberation and affluence. Now they return with singing, to reap in joy.
Here is a promise that they should have plenty, and that the plenty should flow like the Jordan, with greater impetuosity for having been obstructed. And they had fine seasons of prosperity under the Persians, and the Romans. Alexander the great was their peculiar friend. Antiochus Epiphanes and others did indeed sorely oppress them; but God shortened those days of calamity. But this psalm is to be understood chiefly of spiritual blessings. See Isaiah 55. God delights to turn the calamities of his faithful people to glory and everlasting joy; and no joys are so sweet to man as those which arise from an overruling providence, raising him out of adversity and woe.
The Hebrew and several Versions attribute this psalm to Solomon. The Syriac, “A psalm of David, concerning Solomon.”