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Psalm 126 | King James Audio Bible
Psalm 126, of the Psalms of Ascent, begins with a reflection on past deliverance. The psalmist recalls a time when the Lord reversed the fortunes of Zion, likening this experience to a dream. This imagery conveys the profound impact and almost unbelievable nature of the transformation experienced by the people.
The psalm then describes a scene of joy and celebration. The mouths of the people were filled with laughter and songs, a stark contrast to their previous state. This change was so significant that even other nations acknowledged the Lord’s work. The psalmist reiterates this point, affirming the great deeds done by the Lord for them and expressing joy.
The second part of the psalm shifts to a plea for restoration. The psalmist asks the Lord to renew their fortunes like streams in arid regions. This request symbolizes a desire for rejuvenation and abundant blessings. The imagery of water in a dry land serves as a powerful metaphor for renewal and hope.
The psalm concludes with a promise of reward for enduring hardship. It assures that those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. This principle of recompense is further emphasized through the image of a farmer who weeps while planting seeds but returns with joy, carrying sheaves. This imagery highlights the concept of enduring suffering with the promise of future joy.
Psalm 126 thus captures a journey from lament to joy, from hardship to celebration. It underscores the theme of divine intervention in reversing misfortune and the consequent joy that follows. The Psalm serves as a reminder of the Lord’s ability to transform sorrow into joy and the assurance of reward for enduring faithfulness.
Psalm 126 | King James Audio Bible
When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126 | King James Audio Bible
Divine Restoration And Joy: The Psalm opens with a reflection on a time of divine restoration, likening it to a dream, and emphasizes the resulting joy and laughter. This theme represents the transformative power of God’s intervention, turning sorrow into joy.
Acknowledgment Of God’s Deeds: The psalmist and other nations acknowledge the great things the Lord has done, highlighting a recognition of divine action. This acknowledgment underlines the importance of seeing and celebrating God’s work in life’s transformations.
Plea For Renewal: The psalmist pleads for the Lord to renew their fortunes like streams in the south, symbolizing a desire for revitalization and abundant blessings. This plea indicates a continual dependence on God for restoration and blessings.
Sowing In Tears, Reaping In Joy: The Psalm assures that those who sow in tears will reap in joy, establishing a principle of hope amidst suffering. This theme conveys the message that enduring hardships can lead to rewarding outcomes.
Promise Of Reward For Endurance: The imagery of a farmer who weeps while planting but rejoices when harvesting underscores the reward for enduring hardship. This promise serves as an encouragement to remain faithful and hopeful, even in difficult times.
The poem is an address to the Holy Spirit, symbolized as fire or a spark, exploring themes of divine transformation, purification, and ultimate union with God. Herbert opens with an acknowledgment of the Spirit’s divinity, emanating from the presence of the Saviour’s face. The Spirit is seen as belonging naturally to this celestial realm, yet the poet invites the Spirit to ‘take a bad lodging’ in his heart, reflecting humility and recognition of his own imperfections [ … ]
It is a time of vigil while Jesus rests and we await his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Jesus has died to free us from our sins. While he rests, the church is a quiet and sombre place. We think of Jesus’ first followers and of what they must have felt and thought through this time. They must have felt very alone and abandoned, and indeed at risk of losing their own lives [ … ]
Saint Hilary’s commentary on Psalm 128 explores the meaning of the fear of the Lord, distinguishing it from common human fear. Unlike the instinctive dread that arises from danger or suffering, the fear of the Lord is something to be learned, cultivated through wisdom, obedience, and love. Saint Hilary emphasizes that Scripture does not present fear as an isolated virtue but as part of a broader journey that involves seeking wisdom, following God’s commandments, and ultimately arriving at a love that perfects fear. The fear of God, therefore, is not servile terror but a reverent disposition that shapes the believer’s entire way of life [ … ]
