Psalms 126:5

5 Those who sow in ¹tears shall reap with ²joyful shouting.

Psalms 126:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 126:5

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
] A proverbial expression, encouraging faith in prayer put up for the return of the captivity, whether in a literal or spiritual sense. Praying or seeking the Lord is sowing in righteousness, ( Hosea 10:12 ) ; which is often attended with tears and weeping; the issue of them is not always seen soon: these, like seed, lie buried under the clods, but take effect and will rise up in due time: saints should wait patiently for a return of them, as the husbandman for the fruits of the earth; in due time they will produce a large crop of blessings, a plentiful harvest, which the praying saint will reap with joy; as those that prayed and waited for the redemption in Jerusalem; and as those that pray for the latter day glory, the conversion of the Jews, the fulness of the Gentiles, and the destruction of antichrist; the souls under the altar have been sowing in tears, but before long they will reap in joy, ( Revelation 6:9 ) ( Revelation 19:1 Revelation 19:2 ) . It may be applied to the state and condition of saints in common in this life; now is their sowing time, and careful they should be that they sow not to the flesh, but to the spirit: and a sorrowful time it is, on account of inward corruptions, Satan's temptations, divine desertions, and the imperfection of their services; but before long they will reap life everlasting, reap in joy, and be in the fulness of it; now they weep, then they shall rejoice; now they mourn, then they shall be comforted.

Psalms 126:5 In-Context

3 The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.

4 Restore our captivity, O LORD , As the streams in the South.

5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.

6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 80:5; Jeremiah 31:9, 16; Lamentations 1:2
• 2. Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 51:11; Isaiah 61:7; Galatians 6:9