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COMMENTARY ON PSALM 126 A Song ofthe Steps. [I889] HEN CYRUS BECAME KING he bade all Jews to return , but most of them had a poor attitude and in every respect were opposed to the divine laws, and they were unwilling to return. All who had a concern for their ancestral piety, however, and hankered after worship in keeping with the Law made the return [journey] gladly. Accordingly, in this psalm these people recognize their own freedom and exult; and they pray for their kin to attain it. (2) When the Lord reversed the captivity ofSion, we were like people enjoying consolation (v. 1). The word like here conveys intensity: we enjoyed great satisfaction when God put an end to punishment and granted freedom to the captives. Then our mouth was filled with joy, and our tongue with rejoicing (v. 2): immediately suffused with satisfaction we gave our tongues to hymn singing, Aquila rendering rejoicing as "praise" and Symmachus as "blessing ." Then they will say among the nations, The Lord has been magnanimous in dealing with them: this made us well-known to all, everyone amazed at God's magnificence in freeing us from that harsh slavery; and of course we cry aloud, The Lord has been magnanimous in dealing with us, we have been gladdened (v. 3): it is absurd [for us], who were deprived of the knowledge of God, to marvel at his loving-kindness in our regard, when having been recipients of his beneficence we were afflicted with ingratitude. (3) Reverse our captivity, 0 Lord, like torrents in the south (v. 4). Their desire is that the others of their kin enjoy the good things they attained, and they beseech the common Lord to give them a share in freedom as well, so that the great number of people returning may resemble torrents. In calling Jerusalem south he took the term from its position; both Ezekiel and Habakkuk 292 COMMENTARY ON PSALM 126 293 call it that, toO.1 The word suggests something else as well: since the south is a humid wind, it fills the air with clouds and brings on severe rainstorms; and of course since it has the capacity to melt snow, it builds up the torrents with water. Accordingly, he is saying, bid our kin, who are scattered in all directions, come together in this way and make their way like a torrent.2 (4) Those who sow in tears will reap with rejoicing (v. 5): instead of making our petitions to no purpose, however, it is with the knowledge of the fruit of the tears; those casting seed with them rejoice to see the generous harvest. [1892] They wended their way, and they wailed as they scattered their seed; on return they will return in joy, carrying their sheaves (v. 6). He uttered the one thought in different ways, producing greater benefit from the diversity of teaching. I. Cf. Ezek 40-42; Hab 3.3, in a reading of Theodotion. 2. Theodoret here is trying to get the most out of the psalmist's figurative language. ...

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