Psalm 126 Study Notes

Ps 126 title On ascents, see note at Ps 120 title.

126:1 Restored the fortunes refers to the return of the Babylonian exiles to Jerusalem as an event that had already taken place (84:6; 85:1). The appeal in 126:4 to “restore our fortunes” is difficult since the verb assumes that the action has not yet occurred. While v. 1 refers to the return of Israel, v. 4 may refer to the restoration of prosperity and peace in the land (122:6-7). Like those who dream refers to those who eagerly anticipate the future.

126:2-3 God’s intervention on Israel’s behalf testifies to his omnipotence and superiority (96:3; 113:4; Is 61:9; 66:19; Jr 31:10; Ezk 36:23).

126:4-6 In v. 1 the Lord restores Zion as the political and religious center, but vv. 4-6 focus on the productivity of the land. The watercourses in the Negev refer to seasonal streams or wadis, which occasionally blessed the land with a sudden overabundance of water. Along with providing sudden bounty like a wadi, God also made use of methodical processes and hard labor like agriculture. The person who remains humble before God will surely enjoy God’s blessings in the land.