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
We live one second away from unknown devastation. It could be caused by a hurricane, flood, earthquake or human brokenness. You can fill in the blanks for what this might be. I write this in Los Angeles, a city devastated during the race riots of the 1960s and 1990s. The people of God felt the weeping, shouldered “the sheaves” and sowed songs of joy! Out of the depths of despair, God’s dreams have arisen. Through New City Parish, God has done great things in L.A. The Lord has done great things for us.
Prayer
God of endless creativity, fill our mouths with laughter and let our tongues shout with joy as we experience the lavishness of your love and the restoration of your creation. Amen.