Read
Psalm 126:3
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.
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.
5Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
Notice
The words “for us” make gladness personal and shared: the people recognize that YHWH’s great deeds have touched their own lives.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What act of God’s help could you name when writing “great things for us” today?
Write on thisWhose gladness could you share because of what YHWH has done for them?
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
Luke 1:49For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.Both celebrate the great things God has done, with Luke expressing personal thanks and the psalm speaking for a people.
Psalm 92:4For you, LORD, have made me glad through your work. I will triumph in the works of your hands.Both name the LORD’s work as the source of gladness.
Isaiah 66:14You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones will flourish like the tender grass. The LORD’s hand will be known among his servants; and he …Both link rejoicing with the LORD’s action, though Isaiah also names his indignation against enemies.
Isaiah 51:9–11Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of the LORD! Awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Isn’t it you who cut Rahab in pieces, who …Both recall the LORD’s great acts, though Isaiah appeals for strength while the psalm declares gladness.
Isaiah 12:4–6In that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD! Call on his name! Declare his doings among the peoples! Proclaim that his name is exalted!Both acknowledge what the LORD has done, with Isaiah urging people to declare his deeds among the nations.
Psalm 68:7–8God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness... Selah.Both recall God acting for his people, with Psalm 68 naming his march through the wilderness.
Revelation 12:10I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of …Both announce what God has accomplished, with Revelation naming salvation and the overthrow of the accuser.
Psalm 66:5–6Come, and see God’s deeds— awesome work on behalf of the children of men.Both celebrate God’s deeds on behalf of people, describing his work as great or awesome.
Revelation 19:1–7After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory belong to our God;Both express shared praise to God, with Revelation’s multitude declaring that salvation, power, and glory belong to him.
Psalm 31:19Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men!Both acknowledge the greatness of what God has done for people, with Psalm 31 naming his goodness toward those taking refuge.
Ephesians 1:18–22having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the …God’s people are the shared thread: the psalm celebrates his deeds for them, while Ephesians speaks of their hope and inheritance.
Isaiah 11:11–16It will happen in that day that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Egypt, …The psalm’s gladness follows a return to Zion; Isaiah describes the Lord recovering the remnant of his people from many lands.
Where this verse fits
Gratitude. answered prayer. praise and worship.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Gladness has room even where needs remain. These same people ask for restoration in the next verse; their unfinished troubles do not erase what YHWH has done.
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).