Shouts of Joy in Psalm 126 Over Redemption’s Work

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” Psalm 126:1

One day, heaven and earth will be made new. Broken people—who are in Christ—will be restored, reconciled, and redeemed. For now, it’s a promise.

So, we dream.

We are confident now, by faith, that all will be made right. Fortunes of God’s Kingdom are restored. For now, we live in that truth.

“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” Psalm 126:2-3

We are not abdicated to shallow happiness. Unbridled belly laughs and unquenchable shouts of joy are our responses to the overwhelming news that the Lord has accomplished amazing things. This is why we want all the world to know that forgiveness and new relationship with God are provided in Christ. We exist to “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy…” (Psalm 67:4). The Lord has indeed done marvelous things for us, and we are glad. And we want others—all nations—to be glad along with us.

“Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb!” Psalm 126:4

The desert land is accustomed to dry riverbeds. On occasion, these dry riverbeds are overwhelmed with flash floods which produce more water than the desert can absorb. The streams in the Negeb are a picture of the gospel poured out on God’s people. These restored fortunes are not for Israel alone. These restored fortunes are more than today’s church can absorb. The restoration and gospel fortunes are meant to be shared. We share good news of great things done out of the overflowing joy in our hearts.

For now, our joy is tempered by a burden. So, we dream, and we sow.

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” Psalm 126:5

Our gladness has an angst tied to it. We cannot in good conscience hoard these belly laughs and unquenchable shouts of joy to ourselves. The gospel is to be shared. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

We are to sow gospel seed in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to uttermost parts of the earth. This gift was never intended to be stockpiled. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Deuteronomy 6:37-40).

Therefore, we sow in tears. We go out bearing gospel seed as witnesses. We sow it into the hearts of others. We will return with multiplied joy in our hearts as we bring back fruit reaped from our weeping over souls and sowing redeeming love.

There are shouts of joy inspired by the work of our Redeemer.

“He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6