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Selected Verse: Psalms 126:1 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ps 126:1	Strong Concordance	A Song [07892] of degrees [04609]. When the LORD [03068] turned again [07725] the captivity [07870] of Zion [06726], we were like them that dream [02492].
	King James	A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
To praise for God's favor to His people is added a prayer for its continued manifestation. (Psa 126:1-6) When the Lord, &c.--The joy of those returned from Babylon was ecstatic, and elicited the admiration even of the heathen, as illustrating God's great power and goodness. turned again the captivity--that is, restored from it (Job 39:12; Psa 14:7; Pro 12:14). HENGSTENBERG translates: "When the Lord turned Himself to the turning of Zion" (see Margin), God returns to His people when they return to Him (Deu 30:2-3).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

To praise for God's favor to His people is added a prayer for its continued manifestation. (Psa 126:1-6)

When the Lord, &c.--The joy of those returned from Babylon was ecstatic, and elicited the admiration even of the heathen, as illustrating God's great power and goodness.

turned again the captivity--that is, restored from it (Job 39:12; Psa 14:7; Pro 12:14). HENGSTENBERG translates: "When the Lord turned Himself to the turning of Zion" (see Margin), God returns to His people when they return to Him (Deu 30:2-3).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion - Margin, as in Hebrew, "returned the returning of Zion." The Hebrew word which is rendered in the text captivity means properly return; and then, those returning. The ancient versions render it captivity. The reference clearly is to those who were returning to Zion, and the psalmist fixes his eye on them as returning, and immediately says that it was the Lord who had thus restored them. The whole was to be traced to God. We were like them that dream - The Latin Vulgate and the Septuagint render this, "we were comforted." The meaning is, "It seemed like a dream; we could hardly realize that it was so; it was so marvelous, so good, so full of joy, that we could scarcely believe it was real." This state of mind is not uncommon, when, in sudden and overpowering joy, we ask whether it can be real; whether it is not all a dream. We fear that it is; we apprehend that it will all vanish away like a dream.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
When passages like Isa 1:9; Gen 47:25, or others where והיינו is perf. consec., are appealed to in order to prove that היינוּ כּחלמים may signify erimus quasi somniantes, they are instances that are different in point of syntax. Any other rendering than that of the lxx is here impossible, viz.: Ἐν τῷ ἐπιστρέψαι κύριον τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν Σιὼν ἐγενήθημεν ὡς παρακεκλημένοι (כּנחמים? - Jerome correctly, quasi somniantes). It is, however, just as erroneous when Jerome goes on to render: tunc implebitur risu os nostrum; for it is true the future after אז has a future signification in passages where the context relates to matters of future history, as in Psa 96:12; Zep 3:9, but it always has the signification of the imperfect after the key-note of the historical past has once been struck, Exo 15:1; Jos 8:30; Jos 10:12; Kg1 11:7; Kg1 16:21; Kg2 15:16; Job 38:21; it is therefore, tunc implebatur. It is the exiles at home again upon the soil of their fatherland who here cast back a glance into the happy time when their destiny suddenly took another turn, by the God of Israel disposing the heart of the conqueror of Babylon to set them at liberty, and to send them to their native land in an honourable manner. שׁיבת is not equivalent to שׁבית, nor is there any necessity to read it thus (Olshausen, Bצttcher, and Hupfeld). שׁיבה (from שׁוּב, like בּיאה, קימה) signifies the return, and then those returning; it is, certainly, an innovation of this very late poet. When Jahve brought home the homeward-bound ones of Zion - the poet means to say - we were as dreamers. Does he mean by this that the long seventy years' term of affliction lay behind us like a vanished dream (Joseph Kimchi), or that the redemption that broke upon us so suddenly seemed to us at first not to be a reality but a beautiful dream? The tenor of the language favours the latter: as those not really passing through such circumstances, but only dreaming. Then - the poet goes on to say - our mouth was filled with laughter (Job 8:21) and our tongue with a shout of joy, inasmuch, namely, as the impression of the good fortune which contrasted so strongly with our trouble hitherto, compelled us to open our mouth wide in order that our joy might break forth in a full stream, and our jubilant mood impelled our tongue to utter shouts of joy, which knew no limit because of the inexhaustible matter of our rejoicing. And how awe-inspiring was Israel's position at that time among the peoples! and what astonishment the marvellous change of Israel's lot produced upon them! Even the heathen confessed that it was Jahve's work, and that He had done great things for them (Joe 2:20., Sa1 12:24) - the glorious predictions of Isaiah, as in Psa 45:14; 52:10, and elsewhere, were being fulfilled. The church on its part seals that confession coming from the mouth of the heathen. This it is that made them so joyful, that God had acknowledged them by such a mighty deed.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

When passages like Isa 1:9; Gen 47:25, or others where והיינו is perf. consec., are appealed to in order to prove that היינוּ כּחלמים may signify erimus quasi somniantes, they are instances that are different in point of syntax. Any other rendering than that of the lxx is here impossible, viz.: Ἐν τῷ ἐπιστρέψαι κύριον τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν Σιὼν ἐγενήθημεν ὡς παρακεκλημένοι (כּנחמים? - Jerome correctly, quasi somniantes). It is, however, just as erroneous when Jerome goes on to render: tunc implebitur risu os nostrum; for it is true the future after אז has a future signification in passages where the context relates to matters of future history, as in Psa 96:12; Zep 3:9, but it always has the signification of the imperfect after the key-note of the historical past has once been struck, Exo 15:1; Jos 8:30; Jos 10:12; Kg1 11:7; Kg1 16:21; Kg2 15:16; Job 38:21; it is therefore, tunc implebatur. It is the exiles at home again upon the soil of their fatherland who here cast back a glance into the happy time when their destiny suddenly took another turn, by the God of Israel disposing the heart of the conqueror of Babylon to set them at liberty, and to send them to their native land in an honourable manner. שׁיבת is not equivalent to שׁבית, nor is there any necessity to read it thus (Olshausen, Bצttcher, and Hupfeld). שׁיבה (from שׁוּב, like בּיאה, קימה) signifies the return, and then those returning; it is, certainly, an innovation of this very late poet. When Jahve brought home the homeward-bound ones of Zion - the poet means to say - we were as dreamers. Does he mean by this that the long seventy years' term of affliction lay behind us like a vanished dream (Joseph Kimchi), or that the redemption that broke upon us so suddenly seemed to us at first not to be a reality but a beautiful dream? The tenor of the language favours the latter: as those not really passing through such circumstances, but only dreaming. Then - the poet goes on to say - our mouth was filled with laughter (Job 8:21) and our tongue with a shout of joy, inasmuch, namely, as the impression of the good fortune which contrasted so strongly with our trouble hitherto, compelled us to open our mouth wide in order that our joy might break forth in a full stream, and our jubilant mood impelled our tongue to utter shouts of joy, which knew no limit because of the inexhaustible matter of our rejoicing. And how awe-inspiring was Israel's position at that time among the peoples! and what astonishment the marvellous change of Israel's lot produced upon them! Even the heathen confessed that it was Jahve's work, and that He had done great things for them (Joe 2:20., Sa1 12:24) - the glorious predictions of Isaiah, as in Psa 45:14; 52:10, and elsewhere, were being fulfilled. The church on its part seals that confession coming from the mouth of the heathen. This it is that made them so joyful, that God had acknowledged them by such a mighty deed.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Turned - Brought the captive Israelites out of Babylon into their own land. Dream - We were so surprized and astonished.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
When the Lord turned again the captivity - When Cyrus published his decree in favor of the Jews, giving them liberty to return to their own land, and rebuild their city and temple. We were like them that dream - The news was so unexpected that we doubted for a time the truth of it. We believed it was too good news to be true, and thought ourselves in a dream or illusion. When the Romans had vanquished Philip, king of Macedon, they restored liberty to the Grecian cities by proclamation. It was done at the time of the Isthmian games, and by the crier, who went into the circus to proclaim them; none but the Roman general T. Quintius knowing what was to be done. Multitudes from all Greece were there assembled; and the tidings produced nearly the same effect upon them, according to Livy, that the publication of the decree of Cyrus did on the Jews, according to what is here related by the psalmist. I shall give the substance of this account from the Roman historian. When the Romans had sat down to behold the games, the herald with his trumpet went into the arena according to custom, to proclaim the several games. Silence being obtained, he solemnly pronounced the following words: - Senatus romanus et t. Quincius imperator, philippo rege macedonibusque devictis; liberos, immunes, suis legibus esse jubet corinthios, phocenses, locrensesque omnes, et insulam euboeam, et magnetas, thessalos, perrhaebos, achaeos, phthiotas. "The Roman Senate, and T. Quintius the general, having vanquished king Philip and the Macedonians, do ordain that the Corinthians, Phocensians, all the Locrensians, the island of EubOea, the Magnesians, Thessalians, Perrhaebians, Acheans, and Phthiotians, shall be free, be delivered from all taxes, and live according to their own laws." The effect that this produced on the astonished Grecians who were present, is related by this able historian in a very natural and affecting manner; and some parts of it nearly in the words of the psalmist. Audita voce praeconis, majus gaudium fuit, quam quod universum homines caperent. Vix satis se credere se quisque audisse: alii alios intueri mirabundi velut somnii vanam speciem: guod ad guemque pertineret, suarum aurium fidei minimum credentes, proximos interrogabant. Revocatur praeco, cum unusquisque non audire, sed videre libertatis suae nuncium averit, iterum pronunciaret eadem. Tum ab certo jam gaudio tantus cum clamore plausus est ortus, totiesque repetitus, ut facile appareret, nihil omnium bonorum multitudini gratius quam Libertatem esse. T. 54: Hist., lib. xxiii., c. 32. This proclamation of the herald being heard, there was such joy, that the people in general could not comprehend it. Scarcely could any person believe what he had heard. They gazed on each other, wondering as if it had been some illusion, similar to a dream; and although all were interested in what was spoken, none could trust his own ears, but inquired each from him who stood next to him what it was that was proclaimed. The herald was again called, as each expressed the strongest desire not only to hear, but see the messenger of his own liberty: the herald, therefore, repeated the proclamation. When by this repetition the glad tidings were confirmed, there arose such a shout, accompanied with repeated clapping of hands, as plainly showed that of all good things none is so dear to the multitude as Liberty. O that God may raise up some other deliverer to save these same cities with their inhabitants, from a worse yoke than ever was imposed upon them by the king of Macedon; and from a servitude which has now lasted three hundred years longer than the captivity of the Israelites in the empire of Babylon! Constantinople was taken by the Turks in 1453; and since that time till the present, (October, 1822), three hundred and sixty-nine years have elapsed. Why do the Christian powers of Europe stand by, and see the ark of their God in captivity; the holy name by which they are called despised and execrated; the vilest indignities offered to those who are called Christians, by barbarians the most cruel, ferocious, and abominable that ever disgraced the name of man? Great God, vindicate the cause of the distressed Greeks as summarily, as effectually, as permanently, as thou once didst that of thy oppressed people the Jews! Let the crescent never more fill its horns with a victory, nor with the spoils of any who are called by the sacred name of Jesus: but let it wane back into total darkness; and know no change for the better, till illuminated by the orient splendor of the Sun of righteousness! Amen! Amen! How signally has this prayer been thus far answered! Three great Christian powers, the British, the French, and the Russian, have taken up the cause of the oppressed Greeks. The Turkish fleet has been attacked in the Bay of Navarino by the combined fleets of the above powers in October, 1827, under the command of the British Admiral, Sir Edward Codrington, and totally annihilated. After which, the Mohammedan troops were driven out of Greece and the Morea; so that the whole of Greece is cleared of its oppressors, and is now under its own government, protected by the above powers - March, 1829.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

When the Lord turned again the captivity - When Cyrus published his decree in favor of the Jews, giving them liberty to return to their own land, and rebuild their city and temple.

We were like them that dream - The news was so unexpected that we doubted for a time the truth of it. We believed it was too good news to be true, and thought ourselves in a dream or illusion. When the Romans had vanquished Philip, king of Macedon, they restored liberty to the Grecian cities by proclamation. It was done at the time of the Isthmian games, and by the crier, who went into the circus to proclaim them; none but the Roman general T. Quintius knowing what was to be done. Multitudes from all Greece were there assembled; and the tidings produced nearly the same effect upon them, according to Livy, that the publication of the decree of Cyrus did on the Jews, according to what is here related by the psalmist. I shall give the substance of this account from the Roman historian. When the Romans had sat down to behold the games, the herald with his trumpet went into the arena according to custom, to proclaim the several games. Silence being obtained, he solemnly pronounced the following words: -

Senatus romanus et t. Quincius imperator, philippo rege macedonibusque devictis; liberos, immunes, suis legibus esse jubet corinthios, phocenses, locrensesque omnes, et insulam euboeam, et magnetas, thessalos, perrhaebos, achaeos, phthiotas.

"The Roman Senate, and T. Quintius the general, having vanquished king Philip and the Macedonians, do ordain that the Corinthians, Phocensians, all the Locrensians, the island of EubOea, the Magnesians, Thessalians, Perrhaebians, Acheans, and Phthiotians, shall be free, be delivered from all taxes, and live according to their own laws."

The effect that this produced on the astonished Grecians who were present, is related by this able historian in a very natural and affecting manner; and some parts of it nearly in the words of the psalmist.

Audita voce praeconis, majus gaudium fuit, quam quod universum homines caperent. Vix satis se credere se quisque audisse: alii alios intueri mirabundi velut somnii vanam speciem: guod ad guemque pertineret, suarum aurium fidei minimum credentes, proximos interrogabant. Revocatur praeco, cum unusquisque non audire, sed videre libertatis suae nuncium averit, iterum pronunciaret eadem. Tum ab certo jam gaudio tantus cum clamore plausus est ortus, totiesque repetitus, ut facile appareret, nihil omnium bonorum multitudini gratius quam Libertatem esse.

T. 54: Hist., lib. xxiii., c. 32.

This proclamation of the herald being heard, there was such joy, that the people in general could not comprehend it. Scarcely could any person believe what he had heard. They gazed on each other, wondering as if it had been some illusion, similar to a dream; and although all were interested in what was spoken, none could trust his own ears, but inquired each from him who stood next to him what it was that was proclaimed. The herald was again called, as each expressed the strongest desire not only to hear, but see the messenger of his own liberty: the herald, therefore, repeated the proclamation. When by this repetition the glad tidings were confirmed, there arose such a shout, accompanied with repeated clapping of hands, as plainly showed that of all good things none is so dear to the multitude as Liberty.

O that God may raise up some other deliverer to save these same cities with their inhabitants, from a worse yoke than ever was imposed upon them by the king of Macedon; and from a servitude which has now lasted three hundred years longer than the captivity of the Israelites in the empire of Babylon!

Constantinople was taken by the Turks in 1453; and since that time till the present, (October, 1822), three hundred and sixty-nine years have elapsed. Why do the Christian powers of Europe stand by, and see the ark of their God in captivity; the holy name by which they are called despised and execrated; the vilest indignities offered to those who are called Christians, by barbarians the most cruel, ferocious, and abominable that ever disgraced the name of man? Great God, vindicate the cause of the distressed Greeks as summarily, as effectually, as permanently, as thou once didst that of thy oppressed people the Jews! Let the crescent never more fill its horns with a victory, nor with the spoils of any who are called by the sacred name of Jesus: but let it wane back into total darkness; and know no change for the better, till illuminated by the orient splendor of the Sun of righteousness! Amen! Amen!

How signally has this prayer been thus far answered! Three great Christian powers, the British, the French, and the Russian, have taken up the cause of the oppressed Greeks. The Turkish fleet has been attacked in the Bay of Navarino by the combined fleets of the above powers in October, 1827, under the command of the British Admiral, Sir Edward Codrington, and totally annihilated. After which, the Mohammedan troops were driven out of Greece and the Morea; so that the whole of Greece is cleared of its oppressors, and is now under its own government, protected by the above powers - March, 1829.

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² And shalt return [07725] unto the LORD [03068] thy God [0430], and shalt obey [08085] his voice [06963] according to all that I command [06680] thee this day [03117], thou and thy children [01121], with all thine heart [03824], and with all thy soul [05315];
³ That then the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] will turn [07725] thy captivity [07622], and have compassion [07355] upon thee, and will return [07725] and gather [06908] thee from all the nations [05971], whither the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] hath scattered [06327] thee.

¹⁴ A man [0376] shall be satisfied [07646] with good [02896] by the fruit [06529] of his mouth [06310]: and the recompence [01576] of a man's [0120] hands [03027] shall be rendered [07725] [07725] untohim.

⁷ Oh that [05414] the salvation [03444] of Israel [03478] were come out of Zion [06726]! when the LORD [03068] bringeth back [07725] the captivity [07622] of his people [05971], Jacob [03290] shall rejoice [01523], and Israel [03478] shall be glad [08055].

¹² Wilt thou believe [0539] him, that he will bring home [07725] [07725] thy seed [02233], and gather [0622] it into thy barn [01637]?

¹ A Song [07892] of degrees [04609]. When the LORD [03068] turned again [07725] the captivity [07870] of Zion [06726], we were like them that dream [02492].
² Then was our mouth [06310] filled [04390] with laughter [07814], and our tongue [03956] with singing [07440]: then said [0559] they among the heathen [01471], The LORD [03068] hath done [06213] great things [01431] for them.
³ The LORD [03068] hath done [06213] great things [01431] for us; whereof we are glad [08056].
⁴ Turn again [07725] our captivity [07622] [07622], O LORD [03068], as the streams [0650] in the south [05045].
⁵ They that sow [02232] in tears [01832] shall reap [07114] in joy [07440].
⁶ He that goeth [03212] forth [01980] and weepeth [01058], bearing [05375] precious [04901] seed [02233], shall doubtless [0935] come [0935] again with rejoicing [07440], bringing [05375] his sheaves [0485] with him.

¹⁴ She shall be brought [02986] unto the king [04428] in raiment of needlework [07553]: the virgins [01330] her companions [07464] that follow [0310] her shall be brought [0935] unto thee.

²⁴ Only fear [03372] the LORD [03068], and serve [05647] him in truth [0571] with all your heart [03824]: for consider [07200] how great things he hath done [01431] for you.

²⁰ But I will remove far off [07368] from you the northern [06830] army, and will drive [05080] him into a land [0776] barren [06723] and desolate [08077], with his face [06440] toward the east [06931] sea [03220], and his hinder part [05490] toward the utmost [0314] sea [03220], and his stink [0889] shall come up [05927], and his ill savour [06709] shall come up [05927], because he hath done [06213] great things [01431].

²¹ Till he fill [04390] thy mouth [06310] with laughing [07814], and thy lips [08193] with rejoicing [08643].

²¹ Knowest [03045] thou it, because thou wast then born [03205]? or because the number [04557] of thy days [03117] is great [07227]?

¹⁶ Then Menahem [04505] smote [05221] Tiphsah [08607], and all that were therein, and the coasts [01366] thereof from Tirzah [08656]: because they opened [06605] not to him, therefore he smote [05221] it; and all the women therein that were with child [02030] he ripped up [01234].

²¹ Then were the people [05971] of Israel [03478] divided [02505] into two parts [02677]: half [02677] of the people [05971] followed [01961] [0310] Tibni [08402] the son [01121] of Ginath [01527], to make him king [04427]; and half [02677] followed [0310] Omri [06018].

⁷ Then did Solomon [08010] build [01129] an high place [01116] for Chemosh [03645], the abomination [08251] of Moab [04124], in the hill [02022] that is before [06440] Jerusalem [03389], and for Molech [04432], the abomination [08251] of the children [01121] of Ammon [05983].

¹² Then spake [01696] Joshua [03091] to the LORD [03068] in the day [03117] when the LORD [03068] delivered up [05414] the Amorites [0567] before [06440] the children [01121] of Israel [03478], and he said [0559] in the sight [05869] of Israel [03478], Sun [08121], stand thou still [01826] upon Gibeon [01391]; and thou, Moon [03394], in the valley [06010] of Ajalon [0357].

³⁰ Then Joshua [03091] built [01129] an altar [04196] unto the LORD [03068] God [0430] of Israel [03478] in mount [02022] Ebal [05858],

¹ Then sang [07891] Moses [04872] and the children [01121] of Israel [03478] this song [07892] unto the LORD [03068], and spake [0559], saying [0559], I will sing [07891] unto the LORD [03068], for he hath triumphed [01342] gloriously [01342]: the horse [05483] and his rider [07392] hath he thrown [07411] into the sea [03220].

⁹ For then will I turn [02015] to the people [05971] a pure [01305] language [08193], that they may all call [07121] upon the name [08034] of the LORD [03068], to serve [05647] him with one [0259] consent [07926].

¹² Let the field [07704] be joyful [05937], and all that is therein: then shall all the trees [06086] of the wood [03293] rejoice [07442]

²⁵ And they said [0559], Thou hast saved our lives [02421]: let us find [04672] grace [02580] in the sight [05869] of my lord [0113], and we will be Pharaoh's [06547] servants [05650].

⁹ Except [03884] the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] had left [03498] unto us a very small [04592] remnant [08300], we should have been [01961] as Sodom [05467], and we should have been like [01819] unto Gomorrah [06017].