Lent · Fifth Sunday in Lent · Year C
Psalm 126
Those Who Sow in Tears
April 2, 2028
Overview & Insights
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.” (Psalm 126:5)
“When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion” appears to refer to the restoration from Babylonian captivity. This event was obviously met with a response of laughter and songs of joy. The early postexilic period, however, was also marked by hardships, and so there was still the need to petition Yahweh to “restore our fortunes” (see further below). This historical setting accords well with the psalms of ascent in general and with the two preceding psalms in particular. As with most psalms, however, Psalm 126 is open to numerous, recurring situations. It can apply to any instance where God has restored believers, who, in turn, seek to ensure that the restoration be all that God has promised (see esp. the marginal readings in the NIV).
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Commentary
Commentary on Psalm 126 Working Preacher
Reads the psalm's joy-out-of-sorrow movement against the Lenten journey.
Psalm 126 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Walks through the psalm's shift from remembered joy to renewed prayer.
Psalm 126:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Lines up several classic commentators on the opening verse.
Psalm 126:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Shows the Hebrew word by word behind the Song of Ascents.
Questions preachers ask
What does Psalm 126 celebrate?
It remembers the return from exile, when mouths were filled with laughter, and prays God to restore his people again, promising joy to those who now sow in tears.
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