Psalm 126:1-6 (2)

Big Idea: In our journey of faith, recalling the works of God in the past, give us confidence to trust him in both the present and the future.

Introduction: We are continuing to study the group of Psalms found in Psalm 120-134. These song of ascent, or degrees, were generally thought to be sung/recited by those ancient Israelites who journeyed to Jerusalem throughout the year. There are 15 of these Psalms, and they tend to work in groups of 3. Highlighting both individual lament and corporate joy, they can provide us with a framework for understanding our own journey of faith.

In our specific Psalm today, we will learn how recalling the faithfulness of God in the past gives us a renewed confidence in the present and future.

The Psalm will use imagery from Israel’s freedom from captivity as a basis for their asking God to do what only he can do. One of the helpful ways these psalms encourage us is to remind us, refocus us, and renew our hearts as we grow in our faith. We tend to easily forget, something ancient Israel did as well.

Transition: So as we look at this psalm, let’s once again consider the verses sung with a focus on how they relate to us in Jesus Christ. (Jesus wept!)

Stanza 1 (vs. 1-3)

“When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.”

“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they sang among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.”

“The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.”

EXEGESIS: The psalm opens with Israel recalling the glorious act of God in bringing his people out of captivity. When you read through the OT, Israel would often do the complete opposite of how they were instructed through the law and prophets God gave to them. The result was a loss of home and identity as the people of God. They languished in captivity for 70 years before they returned to the land of their ancestry. Many died in captivity who never had an opportunity to return. This account forms the basis of the song and prayer that form the psalm. Consider the movement of the psalm above:

1.) When…then…they said…we said…we are: This movements goes from something that God did in the lives of someone removed from their time and space, to declaring that the same God had done great things for them.

2.) We are glad: It’s a verb of being (compared to verse 1: were like….) Restored to their rightful joy and fellowship with one another and the LORD who brought them to himself. The verb used in verse 3 puts the emphasis on the LORD. It is a feat of strength that is remarkable, clearly signifying that only the LORD can do it. This usage is often associated with the great acts of God on behalf of his people. The first usage of the phrase signifies that it is the LORD causing the remarkable to happen, but the second phrase is a simple active that looks to the Lord doing something on behalf of his people.

APPLICATION: It’s often difficult to see the work of God on our behalf, much less how he has worked in others and be glad. This gladness isn’t a fleeting emotion as when our favorite song, or a pleasant circumstance happens. This is a deeply embedded and deeply rooted joy that expresses itself in every season. My fear is that we have made the remarkable works of God something more extravagant than the simple joy of being in the presence of God. Jesus chastised the religious leaders of his day because they knew neither the power or word of God, thus missing the Kingdom of God right before them.

There are two ways that we can see the idea of being glad in the Lord: Psalm 70:4 is a prayer for those who seek the Lord to be glad in him. Psalm 86:4 is a prayer for God to gladden the souls of those who love him.

TRANSITION: In this life, its easy to forget the work of God around us, and within us. Hence, the need of stanza 2.

“Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the desert!”

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

“He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”

EXEGESIS: The last stanza of the psalm, verses 4-6, are a prayer. Using the idea of restoration from verse 1, they are asking the Lord to turn back to them, to remember them, and to bring them back to the original intent for their lives. In a sense, this involves a turning on their part as well as trusting God to restore. The idea of repentance and renewal are twin concepts of restoration. The ancient people of God standing in the city that represents for them the power, presence, and purposes of God - yet unclearly are they seen. Drought, famine, hardships, doubts, and despair seem to overshadow the goodness of God.

Some scholars picture the people of Haggai’s time - rebuilding and weary over the perceived inferior temple. Some may think of Naomi in the story of Ruth who changes her name to Mara, meaning bitterness. Yet, the prayer is not merely to make it through, but a prayer for the rushing waters of downpour that flood the old ruts of the desert. It’s a yearning for God to break in and be known, the water so desperately needed in their world. Day by day sowing and anxiously waiting for the harvest. This was their world, and the prayer is that like those restored by God from captivity, their is hope that shouts of joy will replace the sound of weeping.

APPLICATION: In this psalm we see clearly the uneven contours of life. Yearning for the Lord to intervene in such a way that it is clear to all. Anxious over the future, despair over the present, and fearful of what may be often overshadows our joy of being God’s people. We, like these ancient people, need our minds changed and hearts renewed.

There is a sound of weeping that is unique in all of history. It is the sound one who weeps over the death of a friend named Lazarus. It is the weeping of tears that blend with blood when overwhelmed by the terror and horror of the cross. Will He be vindicated? Will not the Lord of all the earth do what is right? This weeping is suddenly hushed by whispers of resurrection. We have a Redeemer who weeps, yet whose weeping is turned to joy. Rather than disappointed and let down, the torrent of goodness and glory flood into a borrowed tomb. Jesus is our Redeemer. In that day, when we are with Him is it any wonder that scripture says he will wipe away every tear? Joy. Our entire being diffused with joy.

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.