Restore Our Fortunes
Psalm 126 is a part of the “Songs of Ascent.” These were the Psalms sung by God’s people as they made their pilgrimage to Zion for the Holy Feast Days. Psalm 126 in particular focuses on the return from exile. For those who returned from captivity, it was like a dream (verse 1), something so marvelous they had to pinch themselves to prove it was real. They were filled with joy that overflowed into laughter.
Why, then, does the Psalmist pray for the Lord to “restore our fortunes” in verse four when he had just stated that the Lord “restored the fortunes of Zion” in verse one? It is because although the poet himself had been a part of the return, he realized that many others still languished in exile. He is joyful to the point of laughter at the grace and mercy he and many others had experienced, but he is simultaneously sorrowful to the point of weeping for those who were still in a far country.
These two things can and should exist together in the heart of every believer. We should both joyfully rejoice in our salvation and tearfully weep for those who remain lost in a far country. Gratitude and grief hold hands in our hearts. We look around at the blessing of our salvation and forward to all that it promises and rejoice. And we look back over our shoulder to the dark land from which we escaped and remember with sorrow that many of our loved ones and friends remain there.
And thus, we pray, “Restore our fortunes, O LORD.”
And we live in hope that “he who goes out weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” (verse 6).
Grateful and tearful all at the same time, is in my thoughts daily.