The Lord hath done great things for us . "What the heathen said was true—the Lord hath indeed done great things for us." Whereof we are glad. For these great things we rejoice and give thanks. The first part of the psalm—the absolutely pure joy-song—here ends; and the second part—the mixed joy and sorrow—begins. read more
Turn again our captivity, O Lord . The work is not half done—not half the nation has returned. We, who occupy the land, are but "a remnant" ( Ezra 9:8 ; Nehemiah 1:3 ). Bring back, we pray thee, the rest of the captives. As the streams in the south . As thou bringest back, after the autumn rains, ample streams to the dry water-courses of the Negeb, or south country. read more
A plea for renewed joyous experiences. In renewing prayer for the "turning again of captivity," the psalmist may but put into a figure his desire that God's full work of redemption may be completed, and some form of present limitation or peril may be likened to the old captivity, and even seem to be a sort of relic of it. There is a sense in which we may always be praying, "Turn again our captivity." But the figure may be one giving force to prayer for an immediate and unexpected Divine... read more
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy . Then we, who are now "sowing in tears" ( Ezra 3:12 , Ezra 3:13 ; Neb. Ezra 1:4 ), re-establishing Israel in its own land amid grief and pain and distress, shall "reap in joy," see the fruit of our exertions, and rejoice thereat. read more
Sad sowing-times. Thomson says, "I never saw people sowing in tears exactly, but I have often known them to do it in fear and distress sufficient to draw them from any eye. In seasons of great scarcity, the poor peasants part in sorrow with every measure of precious seed cast into the ground. It is like taking bread out of the mouths of their children, and in such times many bitter tears are actually shed over it" Compare the tears at the laying of the foundation of the second temple ( ... read more
Spiritual farming. Our Lord told the apostles that he would make them " fishers of men ." We may hear him telling us that he will make us farmers of men; for there is much to be done in the way of sowing and reaping in spiritual husbandry. I. THE SOIL OF THE HUMAN SOUL . That in which the sacred seed must be cast is the soul of man: not any one special part of it. Our appeal must be made to the entire nature-to the understanding , with all its powers of spiritual... read more
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed ; literally, going he goes and weeping ; i . e . weeping every step as he goes—"bearing the draught of seed," i . e . the seed which he has drawn forth from his bag, and is about to scatter on the earth. Thus it is that he "goes forth." How differently does he return! He shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him ; literally, coming he comes with a cry of joy , bearing with him his... read more
The rejoicing reaper. Consider— I. WHAT HE WAS FORMERLY . That is told us in the first half of the text. 1. He was one who went forth to sow . He went forth, he was an active worker. In spiritual husbandry this is what is needed. There are many who will talk, some who will pray, but not all these really go to the work. If only the much talk and many prayers could be as they ought to be, and will be if they are sincere, translated into work, active, strenuous work, what... read more
The law of giving in order to gain. "Though he goeth on his way weeping, bearing forth the seed, he shall come again with joy, bringing the sheaves with him." Our Lord declared the same principle when he said, "He that loveth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for my sake shall save it unto life eternal." You can never secure any kind of harvest of anything, save by giving your seed-corn away. The miser keeps his gold, and he has what he keeps, and no more. "There is... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:2-3
Our joy in God a witness for God. "Then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them." The estimate which surrounding nations would form of them and of their circumstances was always a matter of interest and importance to Israel. From the first it was understood that the honor of Jehovah was bound up with the prosperity of this people. It is possible to fix our thoughts too entirely on the exclusiveness and the isolation of Israel, and on its mission as the... read more