A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 126
PSALME CXXVI
THis is the Churches song of thanksgiving for her delivery from the captivity of Babylon, wherein first the greatness of the mercy is set down, v. 1, 2, 3. then a Prayer to God for enlarging of the benefit, by making many to embrace the offer of delivery, v. 4. and thirdly, an encouraging consolation to such as had returned or should returne from Babylon to their own land, v. 5, 6.
Ver. 1. WHen the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion: we were like them that dream.
2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen: The LORD hath done great things for them.
3. The LORD hath done great things for us, whereof werre glad.
In the thanksgiving the mercy is magnified; First, because it was above all their expectation, v. 1. Secondly, because it not only rejoyced Gods people, but also convinced the heathen of Gods power for, and goodnesse toward his people, v. 2. Thirdly, because it was in it self a mercy worthy to be praised and rejoyced for, v. 3. Whence learn, 1. As the Lord sometime giveth evidence of his justice in afflicting his Church: so also sometime he giveth evidence of his mercy to his people, by delivering of them, restoring and comforting them: as this Psalm holdeth forth. 2. Whosoever be the instruments of the delivery and consolation of the Church, the Lord will so order matters as he shall be seen to be the worker of the work himself; therefore is it said here; When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion. 3. The performance of Gods promises is more glorious then the beleever can perceive or apprehend before he see it; When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 4. The delivery and consolation of Gods Church is no lesse matter of joy, and gladnesse, and praising of God, then their affliction is of sorrow; Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. 5. In the delivery of the Church the Lord useth to work so evidently for his people, as their adversaries are forced to acknowledge it; Then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. 6. Inward joy in God, and outward acknowledgement of Gods working for his people, is the duty of every true member of the Church, and is all which can be done at the first receipt of the mercy by way of thankfulnesse; The Lord hath done great things for us. 7. There is a special eminencie of the Lords working for his people, above what he worketh for the rest of the world in governing of them: The Lord hath done great things, say both the heathen and the Church. 8. There is this great difference between the praise which the heathen are forced to give to God, and that which the Lords people heartily offer unto him: the one doth speak as having no interest nor share in the mercy; the other do speak as they to whom the mercy is intended, and wherein they have their portion with others: He hath done great things for them, say the heathen: but, he hath done great things for us, say the Lords people.
Ver. 4. Turne again our captivity, O LORD, at the streams in the South.
From the prayer; Learn, 1. The offer and opportunity given of a mercy, is one benefit: and the embracing of the offer, and taking the opportunity to make use of it, is another benefit: many have the one who receive not the other, as many had the liberty of returning from the captivity of Babylon, who made no use thereof, but did prefer the ease and pleasures of Babylon, unto the prerogatives of Zion, as this prayer importeth. 2. It is no lesse mercy to give people a heart to embrace and make use of offered mercy, then it is to purchase the meanes, and proclaim the offer of it in their audience: as this prayer doth import. 3. Such as have found grace to embrace the offer of Gods mercy, should pity and pray for others, that they may finde the like mercy also; Turn again our captivity, O Lord. 4. As the restauration of the Church is no lesse comfortable, then is the making of a river run in a dry land: so is the one no lesse possible to God then the other; Turne again our captivity, as the rivers of the South, or droughtie lands.
Ver. 5. They that sowe in tears: shall reap in joy.
6. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtlesse come again with rejoycing, bringing his sheaves with him.
From the encouraging consolation of all the Lords afflicted people; Learn, 1. As the Lord hath appointed harvest to follow the seed-time, so hath he appointed the consolation of his own Church to follow after their afflictions: this doth the similitude import. 2. As the husband man hath first toyling, labour and great expences, and a time to endure in patience, till he finde the fruit of his labours: so fareth it with Gods children, they may be in grief for a time, before they finde the good of Religion: this also doth the similitude hold forth. 3. There is a difference between the husbandman and the Lords afflicted childe; the husbandman may have an ill harvest, but the childe of God afflicted, and using the meanes, shall never have an ill harvest, his labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord: his sorrow shall be turned into joy, and his fruit shall be multiplied unto him abundantly; For they that sowe in tears, shall reap in joy: He that goeth forth, and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall undoubtedly come again with rejoycing, bringing his sheaves with him▪ His consolation shall be sweeter, then his affliction was bitter.