God is to be eyed as the author of all the great things done for the church. 1870. Read Psalm 126:6 commentary using The Treasury of David. PSALM 126 . (2.) Notice that verse 3 in Psalm 126 is the only verse in this psalm that is in the present tense. The troubles of the saints will not last always, but, when they have done their work, shall have a happy period. Verses 1-2 are in the past tense. The Lord hath done great things for us - All that the people around us say is true. As God made his people free, (either from Sennacherib or from Babylon) so God has made us free. It put a reputation upon those that had been scorned and despised, and made them look considerable; besides, it turned greatly to the honour of God, and extorted from those that set up other gods in competition with him an acknowledgment of his wisdom, power, and providence. Thus it is in respect to the toil of the farmer; the cares and anxieties of the student; the work of conversion and repentance; the labors of the Christian pastor; the efforts of the Sabbath-school teacher; the faithfulness of the Christian parent; the endeavors of a church for a revival of religion; the zeal and sacrifice of the Christian missionary. It was! This almost certainly refers to the miraculous return of … Thus they gave vent to their joy, gave glory to their God, and gave notice to all about them what wonders God had wrought for them. The theme of restoration that appeared in Psalms 80 and 85 during the first two weeks of Advent continues with Psalm 126.1 In this psalm, however, the notion of reversal occupies a central place, inviting the reader to recognize that restoration by God does more than simply restore what was lost. Suffering saints have a seedness of tears. In seasons of great scarcity, the poor peasants part in sorrow with every measure of precious seed cast into the ground. The kind of divine … Continue reading "Commentary on Psalm 126" He is seen moving slowly and sadly over the plowed ground, burdened with his task, an in tears. Thus does a good man sow in tears. The reference clearly is to those who were returning to Zion, and the psalmist fixes his eye on them as returning, and immediately says that it was the Lord who had thus restored them. All our wearisome toil and trials in this life, including Israel's exile, is working toward a wonderful outcome. Those that sow to the spirit, in this vale of tears, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting, and that will be a joyful harvest indeed. © 1995–2020 All correspondence and questions should be sent to info@ucg.org. The notice which their neighbours took of it: They said among the heathen, Jehovah, the God of Israel, has done great things for that people, such as our gods cannot do for us. American King James Version×). [21] And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, And, when we are free and in prosperity ourselves, we must not be unmindful of our brethren that are in trouble and under restraint. "Commentary on Psalms 126:4". It is evident from the psalm Psalm 126:5, that, when it was composed, there was still some trouble - something that might be called a “captivity,” from which the psalmist prays that they might be delivered; and the object of the psalm would seem to be in part, in that trial to find encouragement from the former interposition of God in their case. Wherefore we take this Psalm to be a prophecy of the redemption that should come by Jesus Christ, and the publishing of the gospel, whereby the kingdom of Christ is advanced, and death and the devil with all the powers of darkness are vanquished. Chapter 126 It was with reference to some great and surprising deliverance of the people of God out of bondage and distress that this psalm was penned, most likely their return out of Babylon in Ezra’s time. However, as was noted at the outset with respect to this idea, it is possible that the psalm was originally written about what was yet to come and that the specific wording was modified following the return from captivity. Some of what follows is a repeat of earlier comments. Finding the new version too difficult to understand? Then he will thrust in his sickle and reap. Their feelings find expression in the songs of Zion. These are precious seed, such as the husbandman sows when corn is dear and he has but little for his family, and therefore weeps to part with it, yet buries it under ground, in expectation of receiving it again with advantage. Whereof we are glad - It fills our souls with joy. The joy of heaven will be more than a compensation for all this. 137) yet their captivity there was the most remarkable captivity both in itself and as their return out of it was typical of our redemption by Christ. The design of this illustration was, undoubtedly, to cheer the hearts of the exiles in their long and dangerous journey to their native land; it has, however, a wider and more universal application, as being suited to encourage all in their endeavors to secure their own salvation, and to do good in the world - for the effort is often attended with sacrifice, toil, and tears. We fear that it is; we apprehend that it will all vanish away like a dream. A prayer for the perfecting of their deliverance (v. 4): "Turn again our captivity. With application: "He has done great things for us, things that we are interested in and have advantage by." Pentecost is alternatively referred to as the Feast of Harvest. If this is understood of the returning Hebrews - coming back from the captivity in Babylon - all must see how appropriate is the language; if it be applied to a sinner returning to God, it is no less suitable, for there is nothing that so fills the mind with joy as a true conversion to God.