Psalm 126:1-6 & 127:1-5
Q.1. How did it affect Israel when they returned from captivity back to their land? What specific petition did they bring before God? What was the people’s confidence? – (Ps.126:1-6)
This song was composed to express the joy of the returned exiles as they travelled to their feasts at Jerusalem. They were beside themselves with joy, so much so that the nations concluded – … “The Lord has done great things for them.” (Ps.126:2). Their prayer was that God would restore them and keep them from ever experiencing such devastation again. The Psalm recorded a fundamental principle of agriculture – 5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. 6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him (Ps.126:5-6). If we don’t sow, we will not reap a harvest. Even in the lean years we should sow, based on the confidence that God will reward such faithful sowing. This has also been commonly applied to Christian evangelism.
Q.2. What perspective did the Psalmist give regarding our plans and activities? What makes children special? – (Ps.127:1-5 c.f. Gen.1:28)
This Psalm acknowledged the sovereign grace of God and celebrated the basic unit of society – the family. The Psalmist saw life as a joint venture between a man and his God. He underscored the need to keep balance in life, since God has ordained for us to both work and rest. To work endlessly without regard to God’s plans and purposes, is foolish – It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labours; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep (Ps.127:2). The Psalmist also celebrated family life and considered a large family to be a blessing from the Lord – Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward (Ps.127:3). Most will agree that to have a strong family, is a blessing from the Lord.