In this psalm, the psalmist appears to be speaking about the time when Israel returned from Babylonian captivity. Israel had been taken into captivity because of their idolatry, 2 Chronicles 36:6-21, but after they repented, God allowed them to return to the land.
Although the headings aren’t inspired by God, they are important because they give us some understanding of the Psalm, and they help us to see why it was written. The headings usually tell us four things.
1. Who wrote them, probably wrote them, or possibly wrote them.
2. Information about the historical background to the Psalm. Why was it written?
3. They tell us of the tune the Psalm was written to.
4. How it was used.
The heading tells us this is a song of ascents. Psalms 120-134 all have the same heading.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Several theories of why this group of psalms is so named are available. The Jewish explanation is that there were fifteen steps from the Court of the Women to the Court of the Men in the Temple, and that each of these psalms was sung in succession on those steps. Another view is that these songs were sung in successive phases of the Jews’ return from captivity. Apparently, the true explanation is that these psalms were written for the pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for the great annual feasts, Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. ‘It seems most probable that these songs form a collection for the use of pilgrims who came up to Jerusalem at the great feasts.’
The psalmist begins by speaking about the time when Israel returned to the land from captivity. This was the time the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, Psalm 126:1.
Israel only dreamed of this happening, Psalm 126:1. They could hardly believe that God would use a foreign king to make this happen, but when it did, Genesis 45:26 / Luke 24:11 / Acts 12:9, it was a time of laughter and singing songs of joy, Psalm 126:2 / Job 8:21.
When Israel returned to the land, it really was a great thing which God had done, Psalm 126:2, and the nations around knew it was all God’s doing; it really was a time when the Jews were filled with joy, Psalm 126:3 / Ezra 1:1-4.
The psalmist once again asks the LORD to restore their fortunes, Psalm 126:4, which implies that there is still work to be done, the city needed rebuilding, and the temple needed to be rebuilt.
The psalmist asks God to move quickly, like streams in the Negev Psalm 126:4, to help them complete the work which needed to be done in rebuilding the city and the temple. The Negev was a desert region south of Palestine, and so, when the rain fell, rivers would flow quickly and flood the land.
The time of sowing, Psalm 126:5, is a time of labour and toil, and harvest time is a time of joy, Psalm 126:5, when the labourer receives the reward of their patient labours.
In other words, when Israel went into captivity, it was a time of tears, Psalm 126:6, but when they returned, it was a time of singing songs of joy, Psalm 126:6 / Isaiah 9:3, they will carry the sheaves with joy in their hearts, Psalm 126:6.
The psalmist tells us that to Israel, returning to the land was like a daydream, something they never believed would ever happen. When we think of the promise of heaven for Christians, Matthew 25:23, we must also think about the promise of destruction for those who aren’t Christians, Matthew 13:42.
And it’s possible that some Christians and those who aren’t don’t think their eternal destination will ever happen. Jesus spoke to a young man one day and told him that he wasn’t far from the kingdom, Mark 12:34. The young man wasn’t in the kingdom, but very close, and so, we could say, he was near to salvation and yet lost.
What will it be like if you don’t enter the kingdom? How can we explain when we are to stand before the judge and be divided between the sheep and the goats? What is going to be like for those who aren’t Christians today, who are close to the kingdom but won’t go in?
To hear the songs of the righteous and the others going off wailing! To know the brightness of His glory and yet to go into utter darkness! To be with Him in heaven, and for some to go to hell! To have living water at your feet and for some to be parched! To see the bread and yet be dying of hunger!