Skip to main content
Psalmlog Logo
Read

Psalm 126:2

Then 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.”

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.
4Restore our fortunes again, LORD, like the streams in the Negev.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →
← Psalm 126:1Psalm 126:3 →
Notice

Laughter and singing follow the return to Zion, and even the nations recognize YHWH’s work: the people’s joy has a cause beyond themselves.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What event, if any, would you describe with the words, “The LORD has done great things for them”?

Write on this

When has laughter been part of your thanks to God?

Write on this

What do you notice about the nations acknowledging YHWH’s work in someone else’s life?

Write on this
Connect

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
Job 8:21He will still fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouting.Bildad speaks of a mouth filled with laughter; the psalm describes that laughter after the LORD brought his people back.
Genesis 21:6Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.”Sarah and the returned people credit God with their laughter, and both passages describe others sharing in or recognizing what happened.
Nehemiah 6:16When all our enemies heard of it, all the nations that were around us were afraid, and they lost their confidence; for they perceived that this work was done …In both passages, surrounding nations recognize God’s work for his people, though Nehemiah records fear where the psalm records acknowledgment.
Psalm 109:27that they may know that this is your hand; that you, LORD, have done it.Psalm 109 asks that others recognize the LORD’s hand; Psalm 126 recounts nations acknowledging the great things he has done.
Zechariah 8:22–23Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Armies in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.”Both passages look beyond Israel to the nations, who acknowledge the LORD’s deeds in the psalm and seek him in Zechariah.
Isaiah 35:10Then the LORD’s ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and …Both passages describe singing connected with a return to Zion, with gladness marking the people whom the LORD has brought back.
Psalm 71:19God, your righteousness also reaches to the heavens. You have done great things. God, who is like you?Both psalms declare that God has done great things, with Psalm 126 putting that acknowledgment on the lips of the nations.
Psalm 65:8They also who dwell in faraway places are afraid at your wonders. You call the morning’s dawn and the evening with songs of joy.Both psalms connect songs of joy with God’s works and describe people beyond the immediate community responding to those works.
Psalm 106:47–48Save us, LORD, our God, gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise!Psalm 106 asks God to gather his people from among the nations for praise; Psalm 126 describes praise after their return.
Song of Songs 6:9My dove, my perfect one, is unique. She is her mother’s only daughter. She is the favorite one of her who bore her. The daughters saw her, and called her …Both passages include praise from observers, though Song of Songs praises a woman while the nations in Psalm 126 acknowledge the LORD.
Jeremiah 33:11the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, ‘Give thanks to the LORD of …Both passages describe audible joy and acknowledgment of the LORD’s goodness or great deeds.
Ezekiel 37:28The nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is among them forever more.”’”Both passages describe the nations recognizing the LORD through his dealings with his people.
Where this verse fits

Answered prayer. gratitude. praise and worship.

What the Bible says about gratitude →What the Bible says about worship →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Sing Psalm 126:2 aloud once at your kitchen table

prayeroncelight
Encouragement

The joy here has a cause: YHWH brought his people back. Their laughter honors him, even as the next lines ask for more help.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 126:2. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 126 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

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).