For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psa 126

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

A. Find Out

1. Who were like what? v.1
2. How did they come? v.2a,b
3. What was recognised around the world? v.2c
4. What did they recognise? v.3
5. What do they ask? v.4
6. Who, doing what, will end doing what? v.5,6

B. Think:

1. What incident does this appear to celebrate?
2. What was their natural response?
3. Yet what final principles appear to prevail?

C. Comment:

                The pilgrim with this seventh ‘song of ascents’ thinks now of times of return from captivity (v.1). Whether that was after the great Exile to Babylon, or generally after invasions have taken place (and that had happened a number of times in Israel’s life) is unclear. They attribute their return to the Lord’s activity (v.1a)  and they could hardly believe it had happened; it almost appeared dreamlike (v.1b)

                In their return they were filled with laughter and joy (v.2a,b) at the shear wonder of it all. Even the surrounding nations were amazed and recognised it as a work of God (v.2c). They themselves also acknowledged that this was God’s work (v.3a) and that wonder filled them with joy (v.3b)

                Yet they realised they still needed His work in their midst to restore them (v.4a) to the people they had been before. They remembered that the streams in the south dried up in the dry season and then were refilled in the rainy season, and realised they needed to be refilled in the same way (v.4b)

                They understood a principle that when you sow in anguish, you will reap abundantly with joy (v.5,6). Such sowing comes with a people who have been humbled by God, but His blessing will yet follow because of their response to Him.

D. Application:

1. God’s discipline is sometimes lengthy – but it will be limited.
2. God’s discipline works to bring humility, which He then blesses.