Context No. 3690 of 4322 · Psalms

Psalms 126:1-6: in context

1When the LORD brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream. 2Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” 3The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad. 4Restore our fortunes again, LORD, like the streams in the Negev. 5Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. 6He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.

This psalm remembers the joy of restoration: when the LORD brought his people back from captivity, it was so wonderful that it felt like a dream, and their mouths were filled with laughter and their tongues with singing. The LORD has done great things for us, they sing, and we are glad.

And from that memory of past joy, they pray for present need: restore our fortunes again, LORD, like streams in the desert. And the psalm ends with one of Scripture's tender promises: those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy; he who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves. There is deep comfort here for seasons of weeping. The tears we sow now are not wasted; they are seed, and God has promised a harvest of joy. The one who labors and grieves in faith, scattering seed through tears, will one day return rejoicing with the harvest. Sorrow sown in faith does not have the last word.

In my seasons of weeping, can I trust that the tears I sow in faith are not wasted but are seed for a harvest of joy that God has promised?

Sources

Psalm 126:5: "Those who sow in tears will reap in joy."
Psalm 126:6: "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves."
Psalm 126:3: "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad."