Psalm 126 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Psalm 126 Short Summary:

Psalm 126 is a psalm about restoration. The psalm recalls a happy time when God restored the nation (probably the nation of Judah). The psalmist looks back fondly at how happy the nation was when God renewed them and he prayed for a new restoration so his countrymen could rejoice in the Lord.

Psalm 126 Summary

AUTHOR:

• The author of Psalm 126 is not named.

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

• No Known New Testament References.

THEMES:

• God’s restoration of His people. Thankfulness for past restoration and hope for future restoration.

DEFINITIONS:

• Negeb (126:4) – A desert region south of Judah.

OUTLINE:

• GOD’S RESTORATION (126:1-3):

  • The psalmist recalled a time when God restored His people, when God took his nation from despair to hope.

  • He wrote that living through such a restoration was like living through a dream.

  • The people were full of laughter and joy.

  • The renewal of their nation caused foreigners admire the Lord, they said, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

• A PRAYER FOR MORE RESTORATION (126:4-6):

  • In the last 3 verses of the psalm, the writer asks God to restore the nation again.

  • Whether this was a continuation of the restoration described in verses 1-3 or a completely new season of restoration is not immediately clear.

  • The psalmist asked God to renew them the way a desert (the Negeb) would be renewed if streams of water flowed through it.

  • When they planted their fields, they were overcome with tears, but they wanted to reap the harvest with shouts of joy.

APPLICATION:

• All of us who are in Christ can look forward optimistically to a great restoration.

• We work down here on earth, sometimes with tears and struggle, but a new day is on the horizon.

• We can’t bring about that restoration on our own, but Jesus will bring it when he returns.

• Only a Christian can live in confidence and hope that their future is always bright.