Psalm 126–127 (August 26, 2025)
- Brian Lee
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord
A Song of Ascents.
126:1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 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.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Unless the Lord Builds the House
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children[a] of one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.[b]
Footnotes
Psalm 127:4 Or sons
Psalm 127:5 Or They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate
Summary
Psalm 126 remembers the joy of God’s deliverance.
“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 they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them." (126:1–2).
Yet it also longs for more.
“Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb” (126:4).
It closes with a promise that those who sow in tears will one day reap in joy (126:5–6).
Psalm 127 reminds us that without the LORD, human effort is empty.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (127:1).
He alone grants rest (127:2) and gives children as a heritage and reward (127:3–5).
Together, these psalms remind us of God’s power to restore, His sovereignty over our work, and His grace in giving a lasting inheritance.
Who is God?
He is the one who restores His people. He brings joy where there was sorrow, filling mouths with laughter (126:2). He is also the God who establishes what endures.
“Unless the LORD builds the house…” (127:1).
He is our Redeemer, restoring us from past captivity and sustaining us in present labor. He is also the generous Giver, granting rest to His beloved (127:2) and inheritance to His people (127:3).
What is our Guilt?
Our guilt is self-reliance, restlessness, and ingratitude.
We often forget His past deliverances. Though the psalmist declares, “The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad” (126:3), we quickly lose sight of His mercies and turn to despair.
We also rely too much on ourselves, laboring anxiously as if our strength could secure the future. Yet God warns: “Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (127:1).
How does Grace shine?
Grace shines in the promise that tears are never wasted in God’s hand.
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy” (126:5).
This points us to Christ, who sowed His life in sorrow and death so that we might reap eternal joy in His resurrection. God builds through Christ a church that the gates of hell cannot overcome. And, Grace shines in rest, for the Lord gives sleep to His beloved (127:2). Even now, Christ invites the weary.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
Prayer
Lord, You have done great things for us, and we are glad. Forgive us for our forgetfulness and our pride in thinking we can build without You.
Teach us to sow in faith, even with tears, trusting that You will bring forth joy.
Establish our work, guard our lives, and grant us the rest that only comes from You. Thank You for the inheritance we have in Christ, who is our Redeemer and our eternal joy. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Comments