A song of ascents
Psalms 120-134 are called “the psalms of ascents.” A better name would be “the songs of the pilgrim caravans.” These pilgrimage songs were sung when Israel traveled upwards to Jerusalem (usually in caravans) during the Jewish feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. Four of these songs were attributed to David. Solomon wrote one of these songs. The other ten songs are anonymous. The author of Psalm 126 is unknown.
126:1 When the Lord restored the well-being of Zion, we thought we were dreaming.
In Hebrew, this verse reads “When Jehovah restored the captivity of Jerusalem, then we thought that we were dreaming.” This restoration could have been the Assyrian Captivity, when one angel killed 185,000 Assyrians. It could have been the return from the Babylonian Captivity, when the Persian King Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to their land and rebuild the temple. It could be prophetically looking into the Millennial Kingdom, when angels will gatherer all of the Jews from the Gentile nations and fly them into the land.
126:2 At that time we laughed loudly and shouted for joy. At that time the nations said, “The Lord has accomplished great things for these people.”
When the Jews are restored to their land, then they will rejoice. The Gentiles will see it as a miracle of Jehovah.
126:3 The Lord did indeed accomplish great things for us. We were happy.
When Israel is restored back into their land, then Israel will be very happy.
126:4 O Lord, restore our well-being, just as the streams in the arid south are replenished.
The psalmist asked Jehovah to restore Israel in their land, just as the streams of the Negev desert flood in the spring and refresh the agriculture.
126:5 Those who shed tears as they plant will shout for joy when they reap the harvest.
Today, more than half of Israel is still a dry and barren desert. During the Millennial Kingdom, Israel will return to its Garden-of-Eden conditions. Their will be supernatural harvests.
126:6 The one who weeps as he walks along, carrying his bag of seed, will certainly come in with a shout of joy, carrying his sheaves of grain.
During the Millennial Kingdom, there will be no more weeping in Israel. They will plant their seeds and rejoice over the abundance of crops.