RESTORE OUR FORTUNES, LORD
Key verse: 126:3
NIV
Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
1 When the Lord restored(A) the fortunes of[a] Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.[b]
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,(B)
our tongues with songs of joy.(C)
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things(D) for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things(E) for us,
and we are filled with joy.(F)
Footnotes
- Psalm 126:1 Or Lord brought back the captives to
- Psalm 126:1 Or those restored to health
- Psalm 126:4 Or Bring back our captives
Cross references
- Psalm 126:1 : Ezr 1:1-3; Ps 85:1; Hos 6:11
- Psalm 126:2 : S Ge 21:6
- Psalm 126:2 : S Job 8:21; S Ps 65:8
- Psalm 126:2 : S Dt 10:21; Ps 71:19; Lk 1:49
- Psalm 126:3 : Ps 106:21; Joel 2:21, 26
- Psalm 126:3 : S Ps 9:2; 16:11
- Psalm 126:4 : S Dt 30:3
- Psalm 126:4 : S Ps 107:35; Isa 43:19; 51:3
- Psalm 126:5 : Ps 6:6; 80:5; Jer 50:4
- Psalm 126:5 : Gal 6:9
- Psalm 126:5 : Ps 16:11; 20:5; 23:6; Isa 35:10; 51:11; 60:15; 61:7; Jer 31:6-7, 12
- Psalm 126:6 : S Nu 25:6; S Ps 30:5
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord
A Song of (A)Ascents.126 When the Lord (B)restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who (C)dream.
2 Then our (D)mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
(E)“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 (F)Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
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126 When the Lord (B)restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who (C)dream.
2 Then our (D)mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
(E)“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 (F)Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
First, the Lord has done great things (1-3). When the people of God were sent into exile their fortunes and their prospects looked grim. They could see no hope of returning to Israel, and no hope for worshiping the Lord in his temple. But the Lord restored the fortunes of his people. He brought them back as he had promised. It was a dream come true. The people were filled with laughter and joy, and their sole source of joy was the Lord himself. In the same way Christians are those who were brought out of their captivity to sin, in which we are helpless, from the grim prospect of death to the joy of the hope of life. How great is the Lord. He is our source of joy and life; he has done great things for us. Second, tears and joy (4-6). Our hope is in the Lord, who restores us in every way. This life is like a desert, where we often sow in tears. But our hope is in the Lord. He is the one who brings water to the desert and turns weeping into joy. He makes his people fruitful in their suffering. Our joy comes when we meet him there.
Prayer: Lord, restore the fortunes of your people. Turn our tears into joy.
One Word: Sow with tears; reap with joy
