Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 126

The Joy of Zion’s RestorationWhen the people of Israel were in Babylon, they were sad and stopped playing music. Now that God has ended their captivity, they are happy again, playing their harps and singing. God wants us to respond to His actions in our lives. When good things return after a long time of trouble, the happiness feels even greater. This section shows how God brought Israel back from captivity and how everyone, including other nations, noticed His great work.v. 1: When God turned again the captivity of Zion , it was a wonderful deliverance. Zion had been in captivity because of the people’s sins, but God had a purpose for their suffering. He sent them to Babylon not to destroy them, but to make them better—like gold being refined. When the time was right, God used Cyrus to set them free (Ezra 1:1 ), just as He had promised. Returning to Zion meant not just going home, but also restoring their faith and worship, which was the best part of their freedom.

v. 2: The people were so surprised by their freedom that they felt like they were dreaming. It was almost too good to be real, like waking up after a long nightmare. They were full of joy, and their mouths were filled with laughter and songs. Their happiness was so great that everyone around them could see it. People who once made fun of them now saw them singing a new song (Psalm 40:3 ) to God. Their laughter was not mocking their enemies, but celebrating what God had done.

v. 3: Even other nations noticed what happened. The heathen said, The Lord

Hope for the SorrowfulThis section looks ahead to blessings that God’s people still hoped for. Even though some Israelites had returned from Babylon, they still faced many problems in their homeland (Nehemiah 1:3 ), and many others were still in Babylon. So, while they were thankful, they also felt sad for those who still suffered. Here, we see both a prayer for complete freedom and a promise that sadness will turn to joy.v. 4: The people pray, Turn again our captivity . They ask God to finish what He started—to help those who are still suffering and to encourage those who are still in Babylon to come home. The first part of God’s help gives them courage to pray for more. Even when life is good, there is always something we can pray for. Also, when we are free, we should remember our brothers and sisters who are still in trouble. If everyone could be free and together, it would be as refreshing as water in a dry land (Proverbs 25:25 ).

v. 5: There is a promise for those who are sad: They that sow in tears shall reap in joy . God’s people often cry because of life’s hardships, sometimes even more than others. But their tears are not wasted. Like a farmer who plants seeds in the rain, they do good even while they are sad. Their tears can be prayers, sorrow for sin, or feeling the pain of others in the church. These tears are like precious seeds. The person may be sad to let go, but has hope that God will bring a good result later.

v. 6: The promise continues: He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him (Psalm 126:6 ). Troubles will not last forever. Just as the Jews returned from Babylon with joy, others like Job, Joseph, and David also saw happiness after much suffering. If we are sad because of our sins or the hardships of life, God promises that we will find joy and peace in the end. Those who live by the Spirit, even in a world full of tears, will one day have eternal life—a harvest of true happiness. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4 ).