Psalms 126

A harvest psalm of joy after captivity turned to laughter.

Psalms 126 - Sowing in Tears, Reaping in Joy

Psalm 126 recalls a moment so joyful it felt unreal, "we were like them that dream," as the Lord reversed Zion's captivity and filled the people's mouths with laughter and singing. This short psalm sits between Psalms 125's picture of settled trust and a fresh plea for continued restoration.


A song of degrees, or Psalme of David. When ye Lord brought againe the captiuitie of Zion, we were like them that dreame.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with ioye: then sayd they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

The Lord hath done great things for vs, whereof we reioyce.

O Lord, bring againe our captiuitie, as the riuers in the South.

They that sowe in teares, shall reape in ioy.

They went weeping and caried precious seede: but they shall returne with ioye and bring their sheaues.

Its closing image, sowing in tears but reaping in joy, gives <a href="/bible/geneva1599/psalms/chapter-126/5">Psalms 126:5</a> its lasting resonance and anticipates the New Testament encouragement of <a href="/bible/geneva1599/galatians/chapter-6/9">Galatians 6:9</a> not to grow weary in doing good. Read next in <a href="/bible/geneva1599/psalms/chapter-127">Psalms 127</a>, which turns from harvest to household.