Psalms 126 (ESV)
A SONG OF ASCENTS.
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
The purpose of Psalm 126 is stated in the authors brief prologue: A SONG OF ASCENTS. This song was written from a time when Israel returned back from Babylonian captivity and returned to Jerusalem. There are many historical references to this time in the life of the nation of Israel, Nehemiah and Ezra being chief among those accounts. The writer begins with a time when the people were just dreaming of returning to the land and ends with a time of coming home rejoicing. This is a story of fortunes returned. Of course, when we read Nehemiah we find out that the city of Jerusalem was in ruins upon their return.
Nehemiah 1:2-3 (ESV)
that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
Nehemiah 2:17 (ESV)
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.”
So, the ascent to return would be a time of great joy. The actually return would amount to great work. But this song praises God for not just the return but the fact that good things would be done. Great things would be done. Fortunes would be restored. God does not do a half-way restoration project. He completes the task. Note:
Nehemiah 12:27 (ESV)
Dedication of the Wall
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres.
God brought them back and gave them strength, wisdom, protection and power to do the work. Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
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