Psalm 126:1-6

This week’s responsorial psalm is from Psalm 126, a song of joy and thanksgiving, celebrating God’s deliverance of Israel from exile.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. 

The opening verse recalls a miraculous time when God delivered Israel from exile, generally thought to refer to the return from Babylonian captivity. The experience was so incredible that it felt like a dream, too good to be true.

Confidence in God’s saving power is usually based on the remembrance of some saving act in the past, and the great blessing of Israel’s past was the return from exile.

Zion, the mountain on which the temple was built, became a symbol with many layers of meaning: it stood for the temple itself, the city of Jerusalem, the southern kingdom, or the entire nation of Israel. Here it probably refers to Jerusalem and the surrounding area.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.

The psalmist describes the emotional response of the people. Their release and return was so extraordinary it was almost beyond their comprehension.

Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.

Even the surrounding nations recognize God’s intervention, acknowledging that something extraordinary has happened for Israel.

This act of deliverance demonstrated that God’s authority is not confined to a specific location or ethnic group. Though his power had long been exercised over the Israelites, it was now clear that the God of Israel had power even over foreign conquerors.

Both Israel and its neighbors marvel at God’s ability to reshape history and deliver his people from seemingly insurmountable circumstances.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert.

The psalm shifts from recalling past joy to praying for ongoing restoration.

The “southern desert” is the Negeb, a dry desert region. The image of torrential streams there describes the people’s hope for sudden and abundant renewal, just as rain can transform a barren landscape into a fertile one.

Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.

The reversal of fortune they request is further described: sowing in tears and reaping in joy.

This psalm offers a message of hope, acknowledging life’s hardships but recalling God’s goodness and affirming that, in God’s time, their sorrow will turn to joy.