Psalms 126:4

Turn again our captivity, O Lord.

The thankful pray

For they have proved the use of prayer. As prayer found cause for praise, gratitude sees reason for renewed supplication. “The Lord turned Himself to the turning of Zion.” God returns to His people when they return to Him (Deuteronomy 4:30; Deuteronomy 30:1; Deuteronomy 30:9; Nehemiah 1:9; Job 42:10; Psalms 145:18; Isaiah 10:21; Isaiah 55:7; Isaiah 59:20; Jeremiah 31:8; James 4:8). He liberated the exiles when they repented and offered supplication. If they have reached Mount Zion, there is still need for them to pray. Jehovah’s gracious hand has so lifted them a degree higher on the footsteps of His throne, that they may be nearer His inclined ear with their petitions. Let them say to Him, in the language of humble dependence, “Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.” Thou art to the soul like rain and fountains to the fields. Drought disappears before Thy breath; and the touch of Thy merciful feet clothes earth with beauty and plenty. And, from their past experience, from the constancy with which God has kept His word, from His demonstrated and eternal unchangeableness, they expect that for which they pray. Faith pleads the promises of Him who cannot lie (Genesis 8:22; Psalms 85:1.). “Thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy.” Thy sure mercy we look for. A praying and praising heart is ready for showers of blessing (Joel 2:21). (E. J. Robinson.)

As the streams in the south.--

The streams in the south

In the East the rivers in the dry seasons are little more than fleeting streams, and sometimes they are entirely evaporated by the powerful action of the sun’s rays. The rainy season comes, and the beds, forsaken of the ancient river, begin to receive their annual tribute from the fruitful clouds, and the mountain-torrent, rolling in its accustomed channel, causes the streams to return again, changing the sandy waste into the majestic river, raising the sewer’s hopes, replenishing this parched land with the long-desired verdure, and man and beast again rejoice in the earth’s abundance. Thus prayed the pious psalmist:--“Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south”: that as the inhabitants of these sultry regions rejoice in the return of the reviving streams, so we, restored to our beloved country and temple, may rejoice in the long-expected deliverance. (W. Brown.)