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Psalm 126:1
A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.
1A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.
2Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
3The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.
Notice
The return to Zion feels like a dream to those who lived it, capturing the wonder of a homecoming they can scarcely take in.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What, if anything, have you received with the dreamlike wonder described in this song?
Write on thisWhat difference does naming YHWH as the one who brought them back make to this memory?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Hosea 6:11“Also, Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you, when I restore the fortunes of my people.Both passages speak of God restoring his people, with Hosea looking ahead and the psalm remembering those brought back.
Joel 3:1“For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,Joel speaks of restoring the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem; the psalm remembers the LORD bringing people back to Zion.
Psalm 85:1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. LORD, you have been favorable to your land. You have restored the fortunes of Jacob.Both psalms look back on restoration and name the LORD as the one who accomplished it.
Psalm 127:1A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it …Both bear the heading “A Song of Ascents” and credit the LORD with work human effort cannot claim as its own.
Jeremiah 31:8–10Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, along with the blind and the lame, the woman with …Jeremiah promises that God will gather people who will return; the psalm remembers people the LORD brought back.
Job 42:10The LORD restored Job’s prosperity when he prayed for his friends. The LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.Both credit the LORD with restoration, though Job receives renewed prosperity and the psalm describes a return to Zion.
Psalm 120:1A Song of Ascents. In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me.Both are Songs of Ascents remembering the LORD's action: answering a cry in distress and bringing people back to Zion.
Psalm 123:1A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to you, you who sit in the heavens.Both bear the heading “A Song of Ascents”; one remembers God's action, while the other addresses him in the heavens.
Acts 12:9And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.Both describe real events that seem unreal to those experiencing them, using a dream or a vision as the comparison.
Ezra 1:1–11Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the LORD’s word by Jeremiah’s mouth might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of …Psalm 126 credits the LORD with the return; Ezra credits him with moving Cyrus to issue a proclamation.
Luke 24:41While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”Both portray people struggling to take in what has happened, with dreamlike wonder in the psalm and disbelief for joy in Luke.
Job 9:16If I had called, and he had answered me, yet I wouldn’t believe that he listened to my voice.Both describe difficulty taking in God's action, though Job imagines an answer while the psalm remembers a return.
Where this verse fits
Answered prayer. gratitude. praise and worship.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The dreamlike feeling does not make the return less real. The song rests on what YHWH did: he brought his people back to Zion.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).