The big picture
Psalms 126 opens in verse 1 with “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 3 with “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”, and closes in verse 6 with “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, captivity, bearing, bringing, doubtless. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 6Psalms 126:1-6
1–6: When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that…
Psalms 126:1–6 opens with “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.” and reaches “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 126 develops its own movement around LORD, captivity, bearing, bringing, doubtless, with particular weight carried by LORD, captivity, bearing.
Context that brings the passage to life
“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.” Naming Zion keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 126:1-6
King James Version1When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
3The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4Turn again our captivity, O LORD , as the streams in the south.
5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 126:1 begins with “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 126:2 forms a natural hinge: “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.”
The final note
Psalms 126:6 leaves the reader with “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, captivity, bearing, bringing, doubtless, dream help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.