Psalm 126

[DeanZF]

Psalm 126

Thanksgiving for Return from Captivity

A Song of Ascents<LIST type="decimal">

1. <LI>
2. When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion,
   
   We were like those who dream.</LI>
   <LI>
3. Then our mouth was filled with laughter
   
   And our tongue with joyful shouting;
   
   Then they said among the nations,
   
   "The LORD has done great things for them."</LI>
   <LI>
4. The LORD has done great things for us;
   
   We are glad.</LI>
   
   <LI>
5. Restore our captivity, O LORD,
   
   As the streams in the South.</LI>
   <LI>
6. Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.</LI>
   <LI>
7. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
   
   Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.</LI>

</LIST>While this psalm is thought to be related to the Babylon captivity, some feel that might have been about Assyrian King Sennacherib's attack on Jerusalem more than a century before they had to deal with Babylon. The descendents of Jacob spent a lot of time dealing with captors and conquerors, so this psalm could be a reminder for any and all of those situations.



There is a great story that was shared through missionary channels. The area immediately south of the Sahara is called the Sahel. It's described as being "semi-arid". It is a harsh land. The people raise grain and harvest from any nearby water or field sources. The story told was that as the rains dry up, the grain is harvested. After that, the family must live on their harvest. Imagine being mom and watching as the stores run lower and lower, babies losing weight, and older kids and dad are trying to scavenge for whatever they can to supplement their meager rations. It's a month before the rainy season and they are using their last bag of grain; they have months to wait for this year's harvest. The eldest son came running in with excitement, "Look! Look! You overlooked a bag of grain, papa!" He was expecting a feast. Papa looked sad and shared, "No, that is our seed for when the rains come. We must not eat that bag of grain." The son's shoulders slump with sadness and growling belly. Weeks later, papa sees the beginning of the rain clouds forming, takes his seed and begins to plant. His tears flow as he sees his children looking longingly at the seed being put into the ground and not into the pot. "They who sow in tears..." When the harvest comes, the pain will be a faded memory as papa brings his sheaves.