They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. A proverbial expression, encouraging faith in prayer put up for the return of the captivity, whether in a literal or spiritual sense. Praying or seeking the Lord is sowing in righteousness, Ho 10:12; which is often attended with tears and weeping; the issue of them is not always seen soon: these, like seed, lie buried under the clods, but take effect and will rise up in due time: saints should wait patiently for a return of them, as the husbandman for the fruits of the earth; in due time they will produce a large crop of blessings, a plentiful harvest, which the praying saint will reap with joy; as those that prayed and waited for the redemption in Jerusalem; and as those that pray for the latter day glory, the conversion of the Jews, the fulness of the Gentiles, and the destruction of antichrist; the souls under the altar have been sowing in tears, but before long they will reap in joy, Re 6:9.
Bible Commentary
Psalms 126:5
Psalms 126:5
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain
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Psalms 126 — OverviewPsalms 126 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleIt was with reference to some great and surprising deliverance of the
people of God out of bondage and distress that this psalm was penned,
most likely their return out of Babylon in Ezra's time. Though Babylon…Psalms 126 — OverviewPsalms 126 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgePsalms 126:1, The church, celebrating her incredible return out of captivity, Psalms 126:4, prays for, and prophesies the good success thereof. This Psalm evidently appears to have been composed in consequence of the…Psalms 126 — OverviewPsalms 126 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSong of degrees. This psalm is generally thought to have been written by Ezra, or some good man returned from the Babylonish captivity, and on account of it: the inscription in the Syriac version of it, besides…Psalms 126:4-6Psalms 126:4-6 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThese verses look forward to the mercies that were yet wanted. Those
that had come out of captivity were still in distress, even in their
own land (Neh. i. 3), and many yet remained in Babylon; and therefore…Psalms 126:5Psalms 126:5 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledgethat sow: Psalms 137:1; Isaiah 12:1-3; Jeremiah 31:9-13; Joel 2:17, Joel 2:23; Matthew 5:4; John 16:20-22; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11
joy: or, singing