Psalm 126:6
He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.
He who goes out weeping
This phrase captures the image of a sower who is deeply sorrowful, possibly due to the hardships and uncertainties of life. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, sowing was a labor-intensive task, often done in difficult conditions. The weeping may symbolize the struggles and sacrifices made in faith, trusting that God will provide a harvest. This reflects the broader biblical theme of suffering preceding joy, as seen in passages like John 16:20, where Jesus speaks of sorrow turning into joy.

bearing a trail of seed
The act of sowing seed is a metaphor for investing in faith and obedience to God, despite present difficulties. The "trail of seed" suggests a continuous effort and commitment, even when immediate results are not visible. This imagery is reminiscent of the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, where the seed represents the word of God and the different types of soil represent the hearts of people. The sower's faithfulness in spreading the seed is crucial, regardless of the initial reception.

will surely return with shouts of joy
This promise of joy upon return emphasizes the certainty of God's faithfulness in rewarding those who diligently sow in faith. The transformation from weeping to joy is a common biblical motif, illustrating God's ability to bring about redemption and restoration. This is echoed in Isaiah 35:10, where the redeemed return with everlasting joy. The assurance of joy reflects the hope and trust in God's providence and timing.

carrying sheaves of grain
The sheaves of grain symbolize the abundant harvest that results from faithful sowing. This harvest is not only a physical provision but also a spiritual blessing, representing the fruitfulness of God's work in and through His people. The imagery of carrying sheaves is reminiscent of the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), a time of celebrating the harvest and God's provision. It also points to the ultimate harvest of souls, as seen in Revelation 14:15, where the earth's harvest is reaped. This phrase underscores the principle that diligent, faithful labor in God's service will ultimately lead to a bountiful and joyous reward.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Sower
Represents those who labor and invest in God's work, often with tears and sacrifice.

2. The Field
Symbolizes the world or the mission field where the seeds of God's word and deeds are sown.

3. The Seed
Represents the Word of God or acts of faith and obedience, sown with hope and expectation.

4. The Harvest
The joyful outcome of the sower's labor, symbolizing spiritual or material blessings.

5. The Return
The fulfillment of God's promises, where the sower comes back with joy and abundance.
Teaching Points
Perseverance in Faith
Just as the sower goes out weeping, we are called to persevere in our faith and duties, even when it is difficult or painful.

Hope in God's Promises
The promise of returning with joy encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness and timing.

The Power of the Seed
Our actions and words, when aligned with God's will, have the potential to produce a bountiful harvest.

Joy in the Harvest
The joy of the harvest is a reminder of the eternal rewards and blessings that come from faithful service.

Community and Support
The imagery of returning with sheaves suggests the importance of sharing our joy and blessings with others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of sowing and reaping in Psalm 126:6 encourage you in your current life circumstances?

2. In what ways can you relate the concept of "going out weeping" to your personal spiritual journey?

3. How can the promise of returning with joy motivate you to persevere in your faith and service to God?

4. What are some practical ways you can "sow seeds" in your community or church, and what might the "harvest" look like?

5. How do the additional scriptures connected to Psalm 126:6 deepen your understanding of God's promises and faithfulness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Galatians 6:9
This verse encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good, for in due season, they will reap a harvest if they do not give up. It connects to the perseverance and eventual joy described in Psalm 126:6.

Matthew 13:3-9
The Parable of the Sower illustrates the different responses to the Word of God, emphasizing the importance of sowing seeds of faith.

John 4:36
Jesus speaks of the joy of the reaper, who gathers fruit for eternal life, highlighting the spiritual harvest.

James 5:7
Encourages patience like a farmer waiting for the precious fruit of the earth, paralleling the patience required in Psalm 126:6.

Isaiah 55:10-11
God's Word is likened to rain and snow that do not return void, but accomplish what He desires, similar to the seeds sown in Psalm 126:6.
Better Plant than BuildLyman Abbott, D. D.Psalm 126:6
Harvest JoysJ. C. Hare, M. A.Psalm 126:6
Sowing and ReapingT. Kelly, D. D.Psalm 126:6
Tearful Sowing and Joyful ReapingPsalm 126:6
The Certain Reward of Good WorksH. Melvill, B. D.Psalm 126:6
The Home and Foreign Fields ComparedJ. S. Banks.Psalm 126:6
The Hope of the Spiritual SowerJohn Watson, D. D.Psalm 126:6
The Law of Giving in Order to GainR. Tuck Psalm 126:6
The Rejoicing ReaperS. Conway Psalm 126:6
The Sower and His HarvestJ. McTurk.Psalm 126:6
A Political Fact that is EmblematicHomilistPsalm 126:1-6
A Psalm of DeliveranceA. Whyfe, D. D.Psalm 126:1-6
Alternations and Contrasts in the Experiences of LifeC. Short Psalm 126:1-6
Captivity and DeliveranceJohn Gaskin, M. A.Psalm 126:1-6
Captivity TurnedR. Davies, M. A.Psalm 126:1-6
Like Them that DreamS. Conway Psalm 126:1-6
The History of a SoulS. Conway Psalm 126:1-6
People
Psalmist, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
127, Ascents, Bag, Basket, Beareth, Bearing, Bringing, Carrying, Certainly, Corded, Doubtless, Forth, Fro, Goes, Grain, Home, Indeed, Joy, Measure, Precious, Psalm, Rejoicing, Return, Scattering, Seed, Sheaves, Shout, Shouts, Singing, Solomon, Song, Songs, Sow, Sowing, Stems, Surely, Taking, Though, Vessel, Weepeth, Weeping
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 126:6

     4412   binding corn
     7963   song

Psalm 126:4-6

     4824   famine, spiritual

Psalm 126:5-6

     4464   harvest

Library
The Lost Silver Piece
But, my dear friends, the three parables recorded in this chapter are not repetitions; they all declare the same main truth, but each one reveals a different phase of it. The three parables are three sides of a vast pyramid of gospel doctrine, but there is a distinct inscription upon each. Not only in the similitude, but also in the teaching covered by the similitude, there is variety, progress, enlargement, discrimination. We have only need to read attentively to discover that in this trinity of
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

The Scattering of the People
[Illustration: (drop cap A) The Fish-god of Assyria and Babylonia] At last the full punishment for their many sins fell upon God's chosen people. The words of warning written in the fifth book of Moses had told them plainly that if they turned aside and worshipped the wicked idol-gods of Canaan, the Lord would take their country from them and drive them out into strange lands. Yet again and again they had yielded to temptation. And now the day of reckoning had come. Nebuchadnezzar, the great king
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Seed Growing Secretly.
"And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come."--MARK iv. 26-29. This is the only parable that is peculiar to Mark. The subjects contained in
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
Having already presented to your view the dark side of the text, I shall now show you the light side, They shall be comforted'. Where observe: 1 Mourning goes before comfort as the lancing of a wound precedes the cure. The Antinomian talks of comfort, but cries down mourning for sin. He is like a foolish patient who, having a pill prescribed him, licks the sugar but throws away the pill. The libertine is all for joy and comfort. He licks the sugar but throws away the bitter pill of repentance. If
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Death Swallowed up in victory
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory! D eath, simply considered, is no more than the cessation of life --that which was once living, lives no longer. But it has been the general, perhaps the universal custom of mankind, to personify it. Imagination gives death a formidable appearance, arms it with a dart, sting or scythe, and represents it as an active, inexorable and invincible reality. In this view death is a great devourer; with his iron tongue
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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