SOW IN TEARS; REAP WITH JOY
Key verse: 5
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
1. The Lord has done great things (1-3)
When the captives returned to Zion after a long exile, it was like a dream. But their captivity was indeed over. They were free. The Lord did great things for them. They were filled with unspeakable joy. We Christians are joyful because we who were slaves of sin and death have been set free by God's grace. The Lord has done great things for us. His name is glorified among all who see our changed lives.
2. Those who sow in tears (4-6)
Although God's people never lose their basic joy, there is a time for weeping. When we become aware of sins that hurt God's heart, it is time to weep and to repent. When we see how sin devastates those for whom Christ died, it is time to weep and to plant gospel seed. Sometimes we experience painful rejection or indifference. But if we go out weeping, carrying the seed of the word, we will return with songs of joy.
Prayer: Lord, help me to sow your word of life and trust you for the harvest in your own time.
One Word: Sow in tears; reap with joy
