The Eastern Cross/Bible/Psalms/Psalm 125
The Book of Psalms · the Psalter
Psalm 126 in the KJV and most English Bibles
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A Song of Degrees. When the Lord turned the captivity of Zion, We became as comforted ones.
Ὠδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν. Ἐν τῷ ἐπιστρέψαι Κύριον τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν Σιὼν, ἐγενήθημεν ὡσεὶ παρακεκλημένοι.
"When the Lord turned back the captivity of Sion, we became as those that are comforted". He meant by this to say, we became joyful. When? "When the Lord turned back the captivity of Sion." What is Sion? Jerusalem, the same is also the eternal Sion. How is Sion eternal, how is Sion captive? In angels eternal, in men…
Then was our mouth filled with joy, And our tongue with exultation: Then would they say among the Gentiles,
Τότε ἐπλήσθη χαρᾶς τὸ στόμα ἡμῶν, καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα ἡμῶν ἀγαλλιάσεως· τότε ἐροῦσιν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, ἐμεγάλυνε Κύριος τοῦ ποιῆσαι μετʼ αὐτῶν.
"Then was our mouth filled with joy, and our tongue with exultation" (ver. 2). That mouth, brethren, which we have in our body, how is it "filled with joy"? It useth not to be "filled," save with meat, or drink, or some such thing put into the mouth. Sometimes our mouth is filled; and it is more that we say to your…
The Lord has done great things among them. The Lord has done great things for us, We became joyful.
Ἐμεγάλυνε Κύριος τοῦ ποιῆσαι μεθʼ ἡμῶν, ἐγενήθημεν εὐφραινόμενοι.
"Yea, the Lord has done great things for us already, whereof we rejoice". Consider, my brethren, if Sion does not at present say this among the heathen, throughout the whole world; consider if men are not running unto the Church. In the whole world our redemption is received; Amen is answered. The dwellers in…
Turn, O Lord, our captivity, As the streams in the south.
Ἐπίστρεψον, Κύριε, τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν ἡμῶν ὡς χειμάῤῥους ἐν τῷ Νότῳ.
"Turn our captivity, O Lord, as the torrents in the south" (ver. 4). Consider, my brethren, what this meaneth. ...As torrents are turned in the south, so turn our captivity. In a certain passage Scripture saith, in admonishing us concerning good works, "Thy sins also shall melt away, even as the ice in fair warm…
They that sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
Οἱ σπείροντες ἐν δάκρυσιν, ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει θεριοῦσι.
For the next words are, "They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy". In this life, which is full of tears, let us sow. What shall we sow? Good works. Works of mercy are our seeds: of which seeds the Apostle says, "Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." [Galatians 6:9]…
How, my brethren? When the farmer goeth forth with the plough, carrying seed, is not the wind sometimes keen, and doth not the shower sometimes deter him? He looketh to the sky, seeth it lowering, shivers with cold, nevertheless goeth forth, and soweth. For he feareth lest while he is observing the foul weather, and…
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