For the past two summers, the Psalms have been where I’ve spent the bulk of my Bible reading and studying. The Psalms have always been like a faithful friend to me; making me feel comforted when I am sad, reminding me of God’s nearness when I am feeling lonely, giving me words when I need to confess or feel discouraged. Summer is the perfect time to delve into them more deeply because it’s the time when the days can blend together in heat and hope, when expectations for vacations and memories can let me down, and when I just can’t keep swimming anymore. I can turn to the Psalms and find whatever I need.

I’d love if you join me for the remainder of this summer in looking at the Psalms. Each week for the next eight weeks, we’ll take a look at one Psalm for each of the following: comfort, joy, confession, praise, prayer, times of trouble, protection, and God’s nearness. There will be a devotion, reflection questions, and a simple challenge each week. I pray these will bless and encourage you. So let’s get to it! Let’s take a look at our first Psalm- a psalm of Joy.

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.
¹ When the Lord restored the fortunes of^[a] Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.^[b]
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
³ The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.
⁴ Restore our fortunes,^[c] Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
⁵ Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

Some believe this psalm was written by Ezra to celebrate the exile’s return from captivity. We don’t know for sure who the author is, but we do know that it was written to celebrate what God had done. He has restored His people back to a place of freedom, to a place of joy.

This isn’t just the kind of joy that makes you feel happy for a day. It’s the kind of joy that makes you feel like you’re living the dream. Ever have such a good dream that when you wake up you want to go back to sleep? The pinch-me-because-this-can’t-possibly-be-real-sort-of-joy.

In verse 2, it says, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.” It’s the kind of joy that can’t be kept silent. It’s major LOLing, not a chuckle or a just a grin, but the kind of laughter that is contagious. Joy that is almost a song or a shout (as other versions say). Isn’t that amazing? Don’t you want that kind of joy?

In the latter half of verse two, it begins with the word “then.” This joy is visible. It witnesses to others of God’s goodness and what He has done. It testifies to God’s restoration power. Don’t be afraid to put your joy on display! Don’t be afraid to say, “That Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (verse 3).

The rest of this psalm contrasts what it’s like to have been restored. Being restored is “like streams in the Negev” (verse 4). Negev means “parched” or “dry” so the contrast is that restoration is like receiving water in the desert. It’s life giving. We then see the contrast of “sowing in tears” (verse 5) and “reaping in joy” (verse 5) as well as “going out weeping” and “coming back with joy” (verse 6). I love that our God is a God of contrasts. He can change our situations, restore our lives, turn our tears to joy. We never know what good He can bring from tragedy. We can always look with hope to the harvest we can reap.

It’s God’s restoration that brings us joy! He brings us out of captivity and into joy. Joy that is not dependent upon our circumstances but on the restorative power of our God. That’s joy we can hold onto. That’s joy worth talking about.

Reflection Questions

Are you experiencing this kind of joy in your life?

Is there anything that you think might be holding you back from experiencing the joy of God’s restoration?

Challenge

Spend some time journaling. Ask yourself if you are experiencing the joy of God in your life. Is your focus on your circumstances rather than on the restorative work God has already done in your life? Spend some time honestly journaling through these questions or write out a prayer to the Lord for His help in bringing this joy to your life.

See you next week, friends!