Reading: NRSV
A Song of Ascents
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
‘The LORD has done great things for them.’
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
Psalm 126 could very well be the people’s response to God’s redemption prophesied in Joel, or any other crisis. The harvest theme makes it particularly appropriate to be paired with Joel in the Thanksgiving readings. Note the two repetitions in the first stanza, which make it so fitting for a leader and congregation as call to worship and response:
“ONE: Then it was said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them. ALL: The Lord has done great things for US and we rejoice!”
The author of the psalm seems to have experienced one of those times when hope seems impossible, and yet is surprised by an unexpected gift of new life. We don’t know how long it took for those fortunes to be reversed, or what the situation might have been. We only know that having experienced that unexpected sense of hope, the author would have everyone take hope from his or her witness. “May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.”
Question for Reflection:
Have you ever had an experience of renewed hope that you would share with others to give them hope in times of crisis?
What would it be like for you to understand that story from the perspective of faith and call it “testimony”?
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