Psalms 126:2

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."

Psalms 126:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 126:2

Then was our mouth filled with laughter
Who before mourned, and hung their harps on the willows, and could not sing the Lord's song in a strange land; but now, as their hearts were filled, with joy, this was externally and visibly seen in their countenances, and expressed with their mouths and by outward gestures; it was so great, they could not contain it, to which respect is had, ( Isaiah 35:10 ) . It may be rendered, "then shall our mouth be filled with laughter" ^F17; that is, when we awake, says Arama; or rather when the captivity is returned, either in a literal or in a spiritual sense, both being matter of great joy: the Midrash says, this will be in the world to come, and not in this;

and our tongue with singing;
the praises of God, and the songs of Zion;

then said they among the Heathen, the Lord hath done great things for
them;
it was taken notice of by the Chaldeans, among whom they had been captives, and by all the nations round about: and it was wonderful to them, that Cyrus, an Heathen prince, of his own motion and will, should at once, and without any price or reward, let them go, and send them into their own country to rebuild their temple; and with them the vessels of the Lord's house, that had been taken away by the king of Babylon; and order men to help them, with gold and silver, and goods and cattle, ( Ezra 1:1-11 ) . Likewise the conversion of the Jews, and the restoration of them to their own ]and in the latter day, will be observed by the Gentiles with wonder, and as the work of God, ( Ezekiel 36:35 Ezekiel 36:36 ) ( Ezekiel 37:21 Ezekiel 37:28 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (almy) "replebitur", Musculus, Gejerus; "implebitur", Schmidt; so the Targum, Syr. Arab.

Psalms 126:2 In-Context

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."

3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.

5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.