Psalm 126:1-130:8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 126:1-3

While the people of Israel were captives in Babylon their harps were hung upon the willow-trees, for then God called to weeping and mourning, then he mourned unto them and they lamented; but now that their captivity is turned they resume their harps; Providence pipes to them, and they dance. Thus must we accommodate ourselves to all the dispensations of Providence and be suitably affected with them. And the harps are never more melodiously tunable than after such a melancholy disuse. The long... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 126:1

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion ,.... Or returned the Jews from their captivity in Babylon; who are called Zion, from the city of David, built on Mount Zion, which was in Judea, and adjoined to Jerusalem, the metropolis of the kingdom; and because they were the godly who were concerned for Zion in a spiritual sense, or the church of God, and the interest of religion, whose spirits the Lord stirred up to come out of Babylon, upon the proclamation by Cyrus, when those that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 126:1

When the Lord turned again the captivity - When Cyrus published his decree in favor of the Jews, giving them liberty to return to their own land, and rebuild their city and temple. We were like them that dream - The news was so unexpected that we doubted for a time the truth of it. We believed it was too good news to be true, and thought ourselves in a dream or illusion. When the Romans had vanquished Philip, king of Macedon, they restored liberty to the Grecian cities by proclamation.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 126:1

Verse 1 1.When Jehovah brought back the captivity of Zion, etc. It is unnatural and forced to suppose, with some expositors, that this is a prediction of what was to come. For my part I have no doubt that the Psalm was composed upon the return of the Jewish people from the Babylonish captivity; and for this reason I have translated the verb בשוב , beshub, in the past tense. Now, whoever was the author of it, (88) whether one of the Levites or one of the Prophets, he affirms that the manner of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion ; literally, when the Lord turned again the returning of Zion ; i . e . "brought back those who returned from the Captivity." We were like them that dream . We could scarce credit our senses; we seemed to be in a happy "dream" (comp. Acts 12:9 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1

Turning captivity into liberty. Is that always, altogether, and necessarily, a good thing? "When the edict of Cyrus went forth allowing the captives to return, it was so unexpected, it was so miraculous, that we deemed the accomplishment of ancient prophecy a dream." "To turn again captivity" is to bring back God's redeemed ones. Perowne skillfully presents the points of thought and feeling in this psalm. "The first colony of exiles had returned to Palestine. But, after all, what was that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1-4

Spiritual bondage. In the Divine deliverance from spiritual captivity, of which the return from Babylon may be regarded as a type, we have a crowning kindness from his gracious hand. It is said that there is no sensation so exquisitely delightful as that we experience when there is a sudden cessation of acute pain. Similarly, we may say that there is no spiritual joy which is quite equal to that of finding ourselves freed from an intolerable evil. Perhaps there is no moment of such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1-6

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1-6

Like them that dream. I. THE DREAM . It was a delightful one. 1. There are many of quite another kind— dreams full of trouble, terror, and distress. Many such are recorded in Scripture ( Genesis 40:1-23 .; Daniel 2:1-49 .; Job 7:14 ; Matthew 27:19 ). 2. But this was full of joy and rapture . So unexpected, so wonderful, was Israel's redemption from exile. They could hardly realize how blessed they were. For it was a reality, not a dream. More often the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1-6

The history of a soul. That which was written of and for the returned exiles of Judah lends itself so accurately and beautifully to describe the history of a redeemed soul, that it seems as if that larger and higher history were meant as well as that of Judah. The same words tell of both. I. THE SOUL WAS ONCE A CAPTIVE . Not alone the people of Zion, but every redeemed soul. It was captive once: 1. To the Law of God . That Law which was holy, just, and good, the Law... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 126:1-3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 126:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 126:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 126:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 126:1-6

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