Bible Commentaries
John Dummelow's Commentary
Psalms 126
A song of those who have been redeemed (from exile), and a hopeful prayer for those who have not yet returned.
1. Turned again the captivity of Zion] either, brought back the exiles who returned to Zion, or, turned again the fortunes of Zion, i.e. perhaps, set her free from foreign yoke.
4. Turn again our captivity] perhaps, 'bring back the exiles.' As the streams in the south] i.e. like the hill streams in the arid S. land of Judah (the Negeb), dry for a time in summer but becoming suddenly swollen torrents in the rains of autumn.
5. A proverb—sow in tears, reap with ringing cries. The reference may be to the difficulties amid which the pioneers of the return from exile had to work: cp. Ezr and Neh.
6. Weepeth] suggestive of the patient labour of the sower. Bearing precious seed] better, 'bearing a measure of seed.' The sower carried the seed in a cloth tied to his body—this cloth full is a 'measure.'
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