Psalm 126
“LORD, thank You for liberating me.”
A Psalm of Thanks
Psalm 126 When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, whereof we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
This psalm is a psalm of thanksgiving for the return from captivity in Babylon. It pictures the joy that God’s people felt when this happened. The happiness they experienced was so exuberant that it almost seemed too good to be true. Later, when the Jewish pilgrims traveled up to Jerusalem for the annual feasts, they sang this song to express their thankfulness to the Lord for the mercy He showed in making their deliverance possible.
As the Jewish exiles were released from captivity in Babylon, we have been released from a captivity that was far worse: captivity to sin and Satan. Jesus secured our freedom through His holy life and sinless death. It seems almost too good to be true, but it is true. The Christian Gospel teaches (and we believe!) that the Son of God paid for our sins, conquered Satan, defeated death, and “led captivity captive.” Even when we were still His enemies. Cause for great joy indeed! Now we are free to serve the Lord in love. Then we shall serve Him perfectly in the New Jerusalem above.