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Psalm 126 - Psalty Prayer

  • Writer: Chad Werkhoven
    Chad Werkhoven
  • Aug 29
  • 4 min read

When you need restoration, pray like Psalm 126.


A man sows seeds with a sorrowful expression. Yellow flowers bloom behind him. Text reads: "Those who sow with tears will reap with joy. Psalm 126:5."

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.


1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dreamed.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs 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 are filled with joy.


4 Restore our fortunes,  Lord,

like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow with tears

will reap with songs of joy.

6 Those who go out weeping,

carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with them.

Canons of Dordt

Point 4 - Irresistible Grace


Article 12: Regeneration a Supernatural Work


Regeneration, is the new creation, the raising from the dead, and the making alive 

  1. so clearly proclaimed in the Scriptures, 

  2. which God works in us without our help. 

But this certainly does not happen only by outward teaching, by moral persuasion, or by such a way of working that, after God’s work is done, 

  1. it remains in human power whether or not to be reborn or converted. 

  2. Rather, it is an entirely supernatural work, 

    1. one that is at the same time most powerful and most pleasing, 

    2. a marvelous, hidden, and inexpressible work, which is not less than or inferior in power to that of creation or of raising the dead, as Scripture (inspired by the author of this work) teaches. 

    3. As a result, all those in whose hearts God works in this marvelous way 

      1. are certainly, unfailingly, and effectively reborn and do actually believe. 

      2. And then the will, now renewed, 

        1. is not only activated and motivated by God, 

        2. but in being activated by God is also itself active. 

For this reason, people t­hemselves, 

  1. by that grace which they have received, 

  2. are also rightly said to believe and to repent.


Summary


We don't know the specific background or incident that led to this song of ascents (short songs meant to be sung as pilgrims ascended the hill to worship at the temple). Knowing as much as we can about a passage's specific historical context is often a critical component of good hermeneutics (methods and rules for interpretation), but in this case, the particular situation that gave rise to this psalm is so universally experienced that the particulars aren't as important.


The psalm is divided into two strophes (sometimes called stanzas). The first, v1-3, tells of the LORD restoring the fortunes of Zion, which led to laughter and songs of joy. Even Israel's pagan neighbors could look at them and conclude that the LORD has done great things for them!


But the second strophe makes it clear that the writer of this song no longer experienced the dreamy laughter and joy that flowed out of the LORD's restoration. The situation has deteriorated, and once again the prayers go up to the LORD: Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev (an arid desert which would occasionally experience sudden, life giving flash floods that transformed the parched land).


Chances are you know exactly how this psalmist felt, and the setting of Psalm 126 resonates with you. You've experienced the LORD doing great things for you, but then years later - or just days or even hours later - life had punched you down again, and once more you prayed to the LORD to restore your fortunes again. Such is the universal rhythm of life in our sinful, broken world.



  Dig Deeper  


There's two things we want to notice about this short psalm. First, it's a model prayer. It's not long - two strophes (six verses in our translations), but it's actually a bit on the long side for Biblical prayers, which are almost always quite short. Your prayer do not need to be long and drawn out.


Like the AAA pattern that Jesus teaches us in the Lord's Prayer, this prayer in Psalm 126 leans into the acknowledgement aspect of prayer. It's so easy to let our pressing needs for restoration bully every other facet of prayer out, but the psalmist here frames his request by first acknowledging how the LORD had restored the fortunes of Zion in the past. Even if his situation didn't change a bit, things likely improved after praying this way!


Second, Psalm 126 recognizes the LORD's sovereignty in restoration. The psalmist recognizes that restoration didn't come about by their own efforts or hard work. Rather, it was the LORD who had done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.


Maybe you identify with the sower mentioned in the final two verses: sowing in tears, weeping as you go out (maybe those tears are evident to everyone else, or more likely, they only come out when nobody else is looking). Remember what we've been learning this year as we've studied the Canons of Dordt: God's grace is stronger than you are. Trust that He will grow the seed you sow in tears in such a way that you'll reap with songs of joy.



  • ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who has restored our fortunes by His Son, Jesus Christ;

  • ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you would acknowledge the LORD's restoration in your life even as you continually ask Him for continued salvation;

  • ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 2 Corinthians 6

 
 
 

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