1The church celebrating her incredible return out of captivity, 4prayeth for and prophesieth her own future joyfulness.
0 A 1Song of degrees.
1 See Psalm 120 in the title.
1WHEN the LORD 2turned again 3the captivity of Zion, we 4were like them that dream.
2 Namely, out of the Babylonian captivity, etc.
3 Or, the captives of Zion, that is, the people of Israel.
4 The meaning is: We Jews, returning out of the Babylonian captivity, knew and felt that it was really true, yet we doubted if it was indeed true, or that it was a dream. See Isa. 29:7, 8; Acts 12:9.
2Thena was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue 5with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things 6for 7them.
a Job 8:21.
5 Or, with cheerful singing. Also in verse 5.
6 Or, with. Also verse 3.
7 Namely, Jews.
3The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
48Turn again our captivity, O LORD, 9as the streams 10in the south.
8 Hebr. Bring back our captivity. The sense is: Accomplish this commenced work of deliverance by bringing back also our fellow brethren who are still in Babylon.
9 That is, the same shall be as pleasing and delightful as when the dry and hot southern grounds or countries are refreshed with overflowing waters.
10 That is, in high and dry soil. See Judges 1:15.
5They 11that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
11 These are the words of the Jews who were recently returned out of the Babylonian captivity. As if they said: We, who during the Babylonian captivity have sowed with tears, shall reap with joy hereafter, being gladdened with our deliverance out of Babel.
6He 12that 13goeth forth and weepeth, bearing 14precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
12 Or, which he is to sow. Hebr. the drawing of the seed, or the seed of the drawing, namely, which is drawn forth out of the sowing bag.
13 This kind of expression implies continuing and eager going. The meaning is: It goes with us as with the poor country people, who, having gotten a small quantity of dearly bought seed which they stand otherwise in need for food, do cast forth the same into the ground with much reluctance of mind, but, when the harvest time comes, then they rejoice the more, seeing the rich blessing of God.
14 Other, the seed, that is, which they dearly purchased.