The Book of Psalms
Psalm 126
Psalm CXXVI · Vol. II, p. 1071
1 The church, celebrating her incredible return out of captivity, 4 prayeth for, and prophesieth her own future joyfulness.
aA song of degrees.
2 Thenc was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then dsaid they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.2
3 Thee LORD hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.
e Ps.18.50,51; 72.18. Re.19.18-20; 18.20; 12.10.
4 Turng again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the 3south.4
g Ps.85.4. Ho.1.11. Je.3.18. Is.41.18; 43.19; 32.2.
3 As the Nile in the south, which, when wasted to a narrow stream, receives fresh supplies from distant lands, and again overspreads and fertilizes as it flows.—C.
4 Literally, 'Turn our captivity, O Jehovah, as the torrents in the Negeb.' Negeb was the proper name for that section of Palestine which embraced the southern slopes of the range of Judea, and the border land of the great wilderness about Beersheba. Its streams were all winter torrents. They flowed only whilst the winter rains were falling, and in early summer they became completely dry, remaining so till the early rains of autumn. The idea here is—The stream of exiles returning to Palestine is now dry; let it become full like the streams of the Negeb at the time of the winter rains.—P.
Notes
Ver. 1. When. The when in this verse, like the now in Ps. 124. 1, is confined to no special period; for the whole history of Israel, from the moment they became a people, has been a history of captivities in the hands of enemies, and merciful deliverances by the hand of their God. C.
Reflections.—God's church is often in great tribulation for a time: and no deliverance comes till God himself effect it. Noted deliverances make observers to wonder, and saints to rejoice. But the more his people are now exercised in spiritual mourning, the more remarkable shall be their fruits of holiness and joy.