Salmos 126
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 126:1-3
126:1-3 This strophe contrasts the Israelites' feelings about being taken captive into exile with the great joy of returning to Judah and Jerusalem and the temple (i.e., Ezra, Nehemiah). The problem for interpreters is that the Hebrew VERBS do not carry a time element, only context can determine past, present, or future! Therefore, this first verse could be an affirmation of a past act (vv. 1-3) a hope for a future act (vv. 4-6) a past act, Ps. 126:1; a prayer for YHWH to do it again, Ps. 126:4 126:1 "the Lord" See SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. ▣ "brought back" This VERBAL (BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) has a wide semantic field. It is the normal word used for "repentance" (see SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE [OT]) from the basic meaning "to turn" or "to return." It is the second connotation that seems to be involved in Ps. 126:1 (JPSOA, based on Ps. 85:1, has "restore," also see Ps. 14:7; 53:6). Since several of the "Psalms of Ascent" reflect the Ezra/Nehemiah period (i.e., Cyrus' decree of 538 B.C. to allow all conquered peoples to return home and rebuild their national temple), this Psalm may also reflect that post-exilic period. Just a theological note, their freedom from captivity/exile must have been preceded by their first turning back to YHWH. ▣ "the captive ones" There is a possible emendation (here and in Ps. 126:4) followed by the JPSOA, "When YHWH restores the fortunes of Zion"). brought back ‒ שׁיבת (BDB 1000 II), MT restore ‒ שׁבות (BDB 986), JPSOA, cf. Ps. 85:1 The term "fortunes" would denote prosperity (TEV footnote). It would be the visible sign of a restored covenant with YHWH and its promised blessings (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30). ▣ "Zion" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ZION. ▣ "We were like those who dream" This is the first of several descriptive phrases expressing the joy of those who returned. Ps. 126:1b Ps. 126:2a Ps. 126:2b Ps. 126:2c-d Ps. 126:3 These feelings were the intended outcome of a relationship with YHWH. The DSS and the LXX see the Hebrew word "dream," חלם (BDB 321 II) as referring to "be healthy," "strong" (cf. REB); the root is spelled exactly the same. The Peshitta has "we were like those who rejoice." 126:2c-d "they said among the nations" This phrase reaffirms the central theological assertion that YHWH wanted to use His relationship with Israel as a way to reach the nations (cf. Ps. 46:10). SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN
Salmos 126:4-6
126:4a This IMPERATIVE (like the INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT of Ps. 126:1a) is difficult to understand. If Ps. 126:1 asserts the return of the captives, why is Ps. 126:4 a prayer for their return? This is why JPSOA uses the model of Ps. 85:1 to assert that it is referring to the return of prosperity. 126:4b This is geographical imagery related to water channels in the desert (i.e., Negev) called wadis. These being filled with water was imagery of a great blessing of future agricultural abundance (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30) because of covenant obedience national repentance the promised blessings of YHWH 126:5-6 The promise of abundant water in Ps. 126:4b is extended to other agricultural idioms. The "tears" (BDB 199) would refer to tears of joy at the restoration of the covenant (i.e., Israel back in the land flowing with milk and honey, cf. Jer. 31:16) tears of Israel's repentance 126:6 There are two examples of a grammatical form of intensification in this verse. Twice the INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB of one Hebrew root are used. he who goes to and fro ‒ BDB 229, KB 246 shall indeed come again ‒ BDB 9, KB 112 Those who plant in faith/repentance will reap in certainty (cf. Deut. 30:1-10)! This is prophesied in Amos 9:11-15. The covenant blessings of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 27-30 are reality! ▣ "bag of seed" NKJV, NRSV "bearing seed" REB, NJB, LXX "carrying the seed" "seed-bag" This word (BDB 604 I) is used in Job 28:18 in the sense of "drawing up" and here possibly in the sense of a bag with draw strings. The VERB form means to "drag" or "draw" (cf. Amos 9:13). The Tyndale OT Commentary Series (vol. 16, p. 476) says the VERB refers to a trail (i.e., drawing out) of seed (i.e., one row at a time, not sowing broadly). One cannot reap if they do not sow! See full note at Galatians 6:7.