Psalm 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. : — Consider the text in its application to — I. THE JEWS AS A NATION (Deuteronomy 32:3; Jeremiah 21:9; Leviticus 26:41, 42). When they are thus brought to "sow in tears," they shall undoubtedly "reap in joy." This seems to be the favourite theme of the prophets, especially of Isaiah (Isaiah 60:1; Isaiah 35:10). This is the event which the Jews themselves ardently long for; it is that for which they earnestly pray on the day of atonement; "O our Father and our King, discover Thy glorious majesty to us speedily; arise, and be exalted to the eyes of all living, and gather our dispersions from among the heathen, and assemble us that are scattered from the extreme parts of the earth, and conduct us to Zion Thy city with songs, and unto Jerusalem, the city of Thy sanctuary, with everlasting joy." II. OURSELVES INDIVIDUALLY. Sorrow and suffering are the result of sin; and sin is interwoven with our very nature. But the Christian has not done with sorrow and tears, although through faith, which is of the operation of the Spirit of God, he has been led to trust in that Saviour who died for him, and the burden of transgression has been rolled from his oppressed spirit. Could the veil which now separates us from futurity be drawn aside, and those regions of everlasting happiness and sorrow which strike so faintly on the imagination be presented fully to our eyes, it would occasion, I doubt not, a sudden and strange revolution in our estimation of things. Many are the distresses, for which we now weep in suffering or in sympathy, that would awaken us to songs of thanksgiving; many the dispensations which now seem dreary and inexplicable, that would fill our adoring hearts with thanksgiving and joy. III. THE MISSIONARY'S LABOUR AND REWARD. As the poor missionary stands on the boundary of the vast wilderness, or goes forth to its culture "bearing the precious seed," he must needs "weep" to think how little of the territory he can occupy. But though he weeps, yet shall he "rejoice." As surely as the grain sown in the earth shall vegetate and bring forth fruit in its proper season, so surely may we expect the principles of the Gospel to spring forth in rich luxuriance, proving incorruptible seed, and yielding fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred fold. (W. Carter, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. |
    |