Read Psalm 120-126 at Bible Gateway.
For the past few days we have been seeing how Psa 121-125 is a repeated pair. It just so happens that Psa 120 and Psa 126 are also a repeated pair, making Psa 120-126 a reverse parallelism:
Psa 120:1-7
1 In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you, or what shall be done to you, you false tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the warrior, with coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace.
7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. {p}
Theme of this psalm: a lament of exile from the Land, north (Meshech) and south (Kedar).
Psa 126:1-6
1 When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream.
2a Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. {n}
2bThen they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad.
4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
6a He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, {n}
6b Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. {p}
Theme of this psalm: a praise of return to the Land, from the south (vs. 4) and the north (vs.5-6).
Wait a minute Christine, how can you say Psa 126:5-6 in any way relates to returning from the north? Ha ha, I love God’s Word! If we look up Meshech in Hebrew, the name actually means, “a drawing out, as sowing seed in a furrow.” In Psa 120, the exiles were in woe and sorrow, among Meshech (sowing the seed); in Psa 126, the exiles are full of rejoicing, having returned with a harvest!
Psa 120-127 reverse parallelism:
1a) Psa 120:1-7 {p} A lament of exile from the Land, north (Meshech) and south (Kedar);
1b) Psa 121:1-122:9, The Lord my help + my keeper / thrones of David for judgment / Peace be upon Jerusalem:
1) Psa 121:1-2, I will lift up my eyes to my help, which comes from the LORD;
2) Psa 121:3-8 {p} The LORD, the keeper and preserver of Israel;
3) Psa 122:5, The thrones of the house of David are set there for judgment;
4) Psa 122:6-9 {p} Peace be upon Jerusalem;
2b) Psa 123:1-125:5, The Lord my help who surrounds me /no scepter of wickedness / Peace be upon Israel:
1) Psa 123:1-Psa 124:8 chiastic structure: Unto You I lift up my eyes, our help;
2) Psa 125:1-2, The LORD surrounds His people;
3) Psa 125:3-5a, The scepter of wickedness shall not rest in the Land;
4) Psa 125:5b {p} Peace be upon Israel!
2a) Psa 126:1-6 {p} A praise of return to the Land, from the south and the north.
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