FRAMEWORKS:
Psalm 126: Joys of Restoration and of Fruitfulness
A
song of ascents.
[Preliminary
Comments: In this seventh short psalm of ascents, there
is first the recognition of God's goodness in restoration in the
past, that is accompanied by much joy, but that mixed with realism
that it is a tough and often difficult fallen world [because of
Sin – see Gen 3:16-19] that requires us to work into it with tears
and when we do that He will bless our activity and our fruitfulness
will bring further joy. Note the two ‘joyful outcomes'.]
PART
ONE: v.1-3: Joy over past restoration
v.1
When God has blessed them in the past they could hardly believe
it
v.1
When
the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
v.2
Their joy was unbounded as the nations looked on in wonder
v.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.'
v.3
Their joy was because of all that the Lord had done for them
v.3
The
Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
PART
TWO: v.4-6: Yearning & conditions for greater restoration
v.4
Yet the sense is that there is always more to come
v.4
Restore
our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
v.5
They know that as they serve God in tears, blessing and joy will
follow
v.5
Those
who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
v.6
Those who sow [righteousness] while weeping will see a mighty
harvest
v.6
Those
who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
[Additional
Comments: The balance of life is always one of joy and
weeping. Israel knew many times when God had blessed them and
great joy had flowed, but there is also an awareness that because
we live in a fallen world, life can be both a struggle and a battle.
To triumph in this we need to call on the Lord [v.4], and sow
righteousness and goodness in an attitude of awareness and humility
[v.5a,6a] which the Lord can then bless and enable us to prosper
and be fruitful [v.5b,6b]. A psalm of having right perspectives.
Note two sets of joy: first when the Lord acts to restore us and,
second, when we serve in a right attitude so He can release blessing
of fruitfulness.]
Continue
to Psa 127