Psalm 126

Overturn our captivity, O LORD!

You are a pilgrim.

• This next Song of Ascents revisits the theme of the return from the Babylonian captivity and exile, where the nation’s entire class of leadership had been carried away as prisoners.

• Again we see the fractal nature of this symbolism:

  • Captives returning to Zion from Babylon

  • Pilgrims traveling yearly to Jerusalem to worship in the annual feasts

  • And even more iterations yet to come in the next psalms!

• We have seen how exile = flooding. Tears. Weeping.

• But return is symbolized by gracious watering, “streams refreshing the deserts” [5]:

  • Watering the seeds with tears. (Should we have eaten the seed? It’s lost now. Will it grow?)

  • But then… green sprouts!

  • Then crops!

  • Then harvest!

So…

• Again, imagine yourself literally on the pilgrims’ trail.

• Because you are a pilgrim. And one day you will literally travel to the New Jerusalem.

• First, pray the short psalm at bottom, then listen to this song (4 minutes):

Psalm 126
In convertendo

1	When the Lord overturned the captivity of Zion, * 
		then were we like those who dream.
2	Then was our mouth filled with laughter * 
		and our tongue with shouts of joy.
3	Then they said among the nations, *
		“The Lord has done great things for them.”
4	Indeed, the Lord has done great things for us already, *
		whereof we rejoice.
5	Overturn our captivity, O Lord, *
		as when streams refresh the deserts of the south. 
6	Those who sow in tears *
		shall reap with songs of joy.
7	He who goes on his way weeping and bears good seed * 
		shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him.


New Coverdale Psalter