Psalm 126 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 126 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Verse 2Then 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."
Verse 3The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Verse 4Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
Verse 5May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Verse 6Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
Devotion
Israel probably sang this psalm upon her return from exile in Babylon. As they celebrated their return, they made not a "Thanksgiving list;" rather, they rejoiced in their deliverance and in the possibility of returning to Zion, to the source of their faith. In the midst of the rejoicing is the plaintive verse 4: "Restore our fortunes, O Lord … " as if they still needed him.
I am sometimes troubled by the great "Thanksgiving lists" of things, usually physical or family, that we compose this time of year. We risk being trite if we don't mention God’s overwhelming gift to us – our deliverance through the cross of Christ – and our return to God by faith through the Holy Spirit.
In the midst of our rejoicing over such a priceless gift, let us, too, include a "verse 4:" God help us, even in our deliverance, to remember you.
Prayer
How wonderful, Lord, is the deliverance you have given us through the death of your son! Grant us a verse 4 in our hearts so that we may always look to you. Amen.