Psalm 126 - A Song of Great Joy

When the Lord brought back the Israelites to their land the people were so overjoyed that they felt as if it were all a dream. They laughed, they sang, they praised the Lord. They praised Him for not just this homecoming, but for all the great things He had done for them. They remembered and they were grateful.

And they were hopeful and expectant. “Restore our fortunes, O Lord,” they sang, “like streams in the Negev.” The Negev was the southern desert and to have streams flowing through it would certainly be a blessing.

Here’s the whole psalm. Count the number of times the word “joy” is used.

¹ When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.
² Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
³ The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

⁴ Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
⁵ Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.