The church, celebrating her incredible return out of captivity, 1-3, prays for and prophesies the good success thereof, 4-6.
1 [A Song of Degrees.]
When the LORD turned back the captivity of Zion,/
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter/
and our tongue with singing./
Then they said among the heathen,/
"The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us,/
of which we are glad.
4 Turn back our captivity, O LORD,/
as the streams in the south.
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He who goes forth and weeps,/
bearing precious seed,/
shall doubtless return with rejoicing,/
bringing his sheaves with him.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 126[➚]
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
This Psalm consists of three parts. First, the Prophet exhorts the faithful, who had returned from the captivity, to gratitude, and highly extols the grace displayed in their deliverance, to show them, beyond all doubt, that they were brought back to their own country by the hand of God, and not by a fortuitous conjuncture of circumstances, or by the favor of men. In the second part a prayer is added, that God would perfect his own work which he had begun. Finally, although there was no immediate prospect of a full restoration, yet he mitigates the feeling of weariness which delay might occasion, and assures them, that though at present the seed was watered with tears, the harvest would be joyous.