Historically speaking, the tension between vv. 1–3 and vv. 4–6 makes very good sense in the post-exilic era. The likelihood of a post-exilic origin for Psalm 126 is increased by the appearance of the phrase the NRSV translates as “restored the fortunes” in v. 1a. While this more general sense is preferable, it is likely that the phrase refers to the return of the exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem (see Deut 30:3; Jer 30:3, 18; 32:44; Ezek 39:25).
