Psalm 126
Zion’s Restoration
A song of ascents.
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream. e
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter then, f
and our tongues with shouts of joy. g
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.” h
3 The LORD had done great things for us;
we were joyful. i
4 Restore our fortunes, LORD,
like watercourses in the Negev. j
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with shouts of joy. k
6 Though one goes along weeping,
carrying the bag of seed,
he will surely come back with shouts of joy,
carrying his sheaves. l
126:1–3. In 126:1, God has returned his people from exile; they are ecstatic. In 126:2–3, the chiastic structure emphasizes God’s marvelous work: (A) the people rejoice (126:2a); (B) God has done great things (126:2b); (Bʹ) God has done great things (126:3a); (Aʹ) the people rejoice (126:3b).
126:4–6. In 126:4, the author asks God to continue his wonderful work. In 126:5–6, in stair-step fashion, the author presents the hoped-for transformation: (A) the people sow in sorrow (126:5a); (B) they reap with joy (126:5b); (Aʹ) the people sow seeds in sorrow (126:6a); (Bʹ) they reap sheaves with joy (126:6b). (People sow in tears because today’s food [the seed] must be sown for next year’s harvest.)