This psalm is entitled simply “A Song of Degrees.” See the Introduction to Psalms 120:1. There can be no reasonable doubt as to the occasion on which it was composed, for it bears internal evidence of having been composed with reference to the return from Babylon. It may have been designed to be sun... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE LORD TURNED AGAIN THE CAPTIVITY OF ZION - Margin, as in Hebrew, “returned the returning of Zion.” The Hebrew word which is rendered in the text captivity means properly return; and then, those returning. The ancient versions render it captivity. The reference clearly is to those who were re... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WAS OUR MOUTH FILLED WITH LAUGHTER - Then were we happy; completely happy. See Job 8:21. AND OUR TONGUE WITH SINGING - We expressed our joy in songs - the natural expression of joy. Young converts - those “turned” from sin to God - sing. Their feelings find expression in the songs of Zion. Thi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HATH DONE GREAT THINGS FOR US - All that the people around us say is true. We see it; we feel it; we acknowledge it. Those to whom this pertained would see it more clearly than those who had merely observed it. A surrounding world may see in the conversion of a man, in his being turned from... [ Continue Reading ]
TURN AGAIN OUR CAPTIVITY, O LORD - literally, “Turn our captivity.” The word “again” is inserted by the translators, and conveys an idea which is not necessarily in the original. It is simply a prayer that God would “turn” their captivity; that is, looking upon the captivity as not wholly ended, or... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT SOW IN TEARS SHALL REAP IN JOY - Though the sowing of seed is a work of labor and sorrow - often a work so burdening the farmer that he weeps - yet the return - the harvest - is accompanied with rejoicing. The truth is expressed in a general form, as illustrating the idea that enterprises... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT GOETH FORTH AND WEEPETH - He that goes forth weeping - still an allusion to the farmer. He is seen moving slowly and sadly over the plowed ground, burdened with his task, an in tears. BEARING PRECIOUS SEED - Margin, “seed-basket.” Literally, “bearing the drawing out of seed;” perhaps the se... [ Continue Reading ]