Psalm 126

Reading for September 4, 2012            Psalm 126

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,

Bringing in the Sheaves

Knowles Shaw, 1874

Psalm 126 was Knowles Shaw’s inspiration for what has become one of the most loved Gospel hymns. The psalmist took his inspiration from the return of the exiles to Israel. Brought on by Israel continually turning away from God, Israel was conquered and her people taken into exile. First, in about 721 B.C., Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. In 586 B.C. the southern kingdom was conquered by Babylon. Many years later, after the Persians conquered the Babylonian Empire, a remnant of the exiles was allowed to return to Israel.

The psalmist was encouraging the Jews to remember their joy and celebration of the faithfulness of God,

“When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,

    it was like a dream!

We were filled with laughter,

    and we sang for joy.”

Psalm 126:1-2a

By remembering God’s faithfulness, the Jews bolstered their faith that God would provide for them in their present time. The Apostle Paul used this same form as he draws to a close the matchless eighth chapter of his epistle to the Romans:

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:31-32).

Earlier in his epistle, Paul wrote that God sent Christ to die for us while we were still sinners; thus proving God’s love for us (Romans 5:8). Yes indeed, God is for us! Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:39). Let us remember all that God has done for us; let us be filled with laughter and joy. Let us trust in the everlasting promises of God:

“And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours

   according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19 NRSV

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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Reading for September 5, 2012            Psalm 127