This next song of ascents, Psalm 126, is from the period after the return from the exile. It describes the delirious joy the people knew when the LORD brought back the captives to Zion after the exile. Their mouths were filled with laughter, their tongues with songs of joy. Even the people around them could see that the LORD had done great things for them for he had and they were filled with joy. However, they now faced the difficult task of resettling the land and it was not going to be easy. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev he prays. Then in verse 5 he quotes what must have been a proverb at the time - Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He expounds the proverb in the final verse of the psalm, reminding himself that though one goes out weeping, if one is carrying seed to sow and he sows it, that is if they get on with the work in hand, then they will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves. This reflects very clearly the Christian experience which is one of great joy in coming to know the Lord but then of living the Christian life, which is very demanding and which we can easily become discouraged in. It is important to remember then that we are sowing in this life with the prospect of a future harvest. What glorious joy there will be at that time. Isn't this the lesson of the passion of Christ too - the seed put into the ground that died leading to the harvest of souls that has already begun and that will be abundant in due time.
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