Psalm 126:1
New International Version
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.

New Living Translation
When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!

English Standard Version
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Berean Standard Bible
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.

King James Bible
A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

New King James Version
A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream.

New American Standard Bible
A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, We were like those who dream.

NASB 1995
A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream.

NASB 1977
When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream.

Legacy Standard Bible
A Song of Ascents. When Yahweh returned the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream.

Amplified Bible
A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion (Jerusalem), We were like those who dream [it seemed so unreal].

Christian Standard Bible
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

American Standard Version
A Song of Ascents. When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto them that dream.

Contemporary English Version
It seemed like a dream when the LORD brought us back to the city of Zion.

English Revised Version
A Song of Ascents. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like unto them that dream.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[A song for going up to worship.] When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, it was as if we were dreaming.

Good News Translation
When the LORD brought us back to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!

International Standard Version
When the LORD brought back Zion's exiles, we were like dreamers.

Majority Standard Bible
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.

NET Bible
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the well-being of Zion, we thought we were dreaming.

New Heart English Bible
[A Song of Ascents.] When the LORD brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.

Webster's Bible Translation
A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

World English Bible
A Song of Ascents. When Yahweh brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A SONG OF THE ASCENTS. In YHWH’s turning back [to] the captivity of Zion, "" We have been as dreamers.

Young's Literal Translation
A Song of the Ascents. In Jehovah's turning back to the captivity of Zion, We have been as dreamers.

Smith's Literal Translation
Song of ascensions. In Jehovah turning back the returning of we were as those dreaming.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When the lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A Canticle in steps. When the Lord turned back the captivity of Zion, we became like those who are consoled.

New American Bible
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we thought we were dreaming.

New Revised Standard Version
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
WHEN the LORD brought back the people of Zion from captivity, we were like those that rejoice.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
When LORD JEHOVAH reverses the captivity of Zion, we will be like those who rejoice!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto them that dream.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A Song of Degrees. When the Lord turned the captivity of Sion, we became as comforted ones.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Has Done Great Things
1A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers. 2Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”…

Cross References
Isaiah 51:11
So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

Jeremiah 30:18
This is what the LORD says: “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings. And the city will be rebuilt on her own ruins, and the palace will stand in its rightful place.

Jeremiah 31:7-9
For this is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations! Make your praises heard, and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!’ / Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly! / They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”

Ezra 1:1-3
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. / Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 12:43
On that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.

Job 42:10
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his prosperity and doubled his former possessions.

Isaiah 35:10
So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

Jeremiah 29:14
I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and places to which I have banished you, declares the LORD. I will restore you to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

Zephaniah 3:20
At that time I will bring you in; yes, at that time I will gather you. For I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your captives before your very eyes,” says the LORD.

Joel 3:1
“Yes, in those days and at that time, when I restore Judah and Jerusalem from captivity,

Acts 12:11
Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”

Luke 1:68-75
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. / He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, / as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, ...

Acts 2:16-21
No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: / ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. / Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. ...

Romans 11:26-27
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. / And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

Revelation 21:4
‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”


Treasury of Scripture

When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

A Song of Degrees.

Psalm 120:1
A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

Psalm 121:1
A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

Psalm 122:1
A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

turned again, etc.

Psalm 53:6
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Psalm 85:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

Ezra 1:1
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

we were like

Job 9:16
If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

Mark 16:11
And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

Luke 24:11,41
And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not…

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Ascents Captive Captives Captivity Change Degrees Dream Dreamed Dreamers Fate Fortunes Jehovah's Ones Restored Song Turned Zion Zion's
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Ascents Captive Captives Captivity Change Degrees Dream Dreamed Dreamers Fate Fortunes Jehovah's Ones Restored Song Turned Zion Zion's
Psalm 126
1. The church celebrating her incredible return out of captivity
4. Prays for and prophesies the good success thereof














When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers
When the LORD
The phrase "When the LORD" immediately sets the stage for divine intervention. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness. This name is deeply rooted in the history of Israel, reminding the reader of God's unchanging nature and His promises to His people. It is a call to remember that it is God who initiates and fulfills His plans, underscoring His sovereignty and grace.

restored
The Hebrew word used here is "shuv," which means to return or bring back. This word is often used in the context of repentance and restoration, indicating a complete turnaround or renewal. In the historical context, this refers to the return of the Israelites from Babylonian exile, a pivotal moment of hope and renewal for the nation. Spiritually, it signifies God's power to restore not just physical circumstances but also spiritual well-being.

the captives of Zion
"Captives" refers to those who were in exile, specifically the Israelites who were taken to Babylon. The term "Zion" is a poetic name for Jerusalem, the city of God, symbolizing the spiritual and national heart of Israel. The return of the captives to Zion is not just a physical relocation but a spiritual homecoming, a return to the place where God dwells with His people. It signifies the fulfillment of God's promises and the hope of redemption.

we were like dreamers
This phrase captures the overwhelming joy and disbelief of the Israelites upon their return. The Hebrew word for "dreamers" is "chalam," which can mean to dream or to be healthy and strong. The imagery here is of a surreal, almost too-good-to-be-true experience, akin to waking from a dream to find it is reality. It reflects the miraculous nature of God's intervention and the joy that accompanies His deliverance. This phrase invites believers to trust in God's ability to turn their deepest longings into reality, often in ways beyond their imagination.

(1) When the Lord . . .--Literally, In turning by Jehovah the turning of Zion. The phrase is not precisely the same as that in Psalm 126:4, which is usual, and offers no difficulty. Here the form of the noun "turning" presents some difficulty; but, after the analogy of a few other words, it can bear the concrete meaning "returned:" when Jehovah brought back the returned of Zion.

Like them that dream.--The LXX. and Vulg. have "as if consoled." The Hebrew word primarily means "to be fat," or "fleshy," and in Isaiah 38:16 is rendered "recover"--a meaning that would give a good sense here, and which is adopted by the Chaldean paraphrases: "We were like unto such men who have recovered." On the other hand, the usual rendering suggests that the news of the restoration appeared too good to be true. "Surely you are dreaming" is a common saying. An illustration has been aptly produced in Livy's description of the feelings of the Greeks when they heard at the Isthmian games (B.C. 196), after the defeat of the Macedonians by T. Flaminius, the proclamation of the herald that they should, by the free gift of the Roman people, retain their liberty. "The joy was too great for men to take it all in. None could well believe that he had heard aright, and they looked on one another in wonder, like the empty show of a dream" (Livy, xxxiii. 32).

Verse 1. - When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion; literally, when the Lord turned again the returning of Zion; i.e. "brought back those who returned from the Captivity." We were like them that dream. We could scarce credit our senses; we seemed to be in a happy "dream" (comp. Acts 12:9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A Song
שִׁ֗יר (šîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

of Ascents.
הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת (ham·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4609: Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression

When the LORD
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

restored
בְּשׁ֣וּב (bə·šūḇ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

the captives
שִׁיבַ֣ת (šî·ḇaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7870: Captivity

of Zion,
צִיּ֑וֹן (ṣî·yō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6726: Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem

we were
הָ֝יִ֗ינוּ (hā·yî·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

like dreamers.
כְּחֹלְמִֽים׃ (kə·ḥō·lə·mîm)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2492: To bind firmly, to be, plump, to dream


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OT Poetry: Psalm 126:1 A Song of Ascents (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 125:5
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