Psalm 126:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

NIV: A song of ascents. When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.

NASB: When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, We were like those who dream.

CSB: A song of ascents. When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

NLT: When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!

KJV: A Song of degrees. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

NKJV: {A Song of Ascents.} When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream.

Zion is another name for Jerusalem, the capital city established by David (1 Kings 8:1).

The psalmist seems to reflect on the release of Jewish exiles from Babylon (Ezra 2:1). The people were taken from their homeland by Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:17–21). News that they could come home would have seemed too good to be true. The Lord had predicted through the prophet Jeremiah that the captivity would last seventy years. After this, God would bring His people back to their homeland (Jeremiah 29:10). The news sparking such celebration was fulfillment of those promises (Jeremiah 29:11–14). God brought the people back.

The full regathering of Israel and restoration of the nation's fortunes awaits the return of the Messiah to the earth. Then He will fulfill His promise: "I will bring them back because I have compassion on them" (Zechariah 10:6).

Psalm 126:1–3 expresses joy beyond belief over news which seemed too good to accept. Hearing that the people of Israel could return from exile (2 Chronicles 36:17–21; Ezra 2:1) was a dream come true. This unlikely restoration showed the nations outside of Israel how the Lord was working for their good.

Learning that they could return to the Promised Land (2 Chronicles 36:17–21) would have been incredible news for Israel. It seemed too good to be true. Yet God's work was being seen by the entire world. The psalmist prays for the Lord to continue restoring the people. This would have included those who chose to remain in Babylon.

This is a "song of ascent," sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for one of three annual festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). Psalm 126 seems inspired by Israel's return from exile in Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:17–21; Ezra 2:1). A few scholars suggest a connection to the thwarted siege of Jerusalem during the reign of Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:32–36). The psalmist celebrates what God has done. Yet he also prays to bring all the people of Israel back to the Promised Land.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 5/21/2025 4:32:55 AM