The LORD generously restores and fills hearts with joy.
The psalmist declares, “The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.” (v.3) Here, the focus is on God’s remarkable blessing and restoration. In the broader context of Psalm 126, the people of Israel likely returned from exile, possibly in Babylon, to their homeland. Though Babylon was situated in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), the exiles made a difficult journey back to Jerusalem, the sacred city in the region of Judea. This return offered them a fresh start and a tangible demonstration of God’s goodness.
By proclaiming “The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.” (v.3) the psalmist testifies to a shared experience of blessing. The phrase “for us” brings a communal dimension: it is not merely an individual’s gratitude but a collective acknowledgment of God’s work for His people. Similarly, in the New Testament, when Zechariah speaks of the coming salvation through Jesus, he praises God for fulfilling His promises (Luke 1:68). Here in Psalm 126:3, the joy flows from looking back upon the Lord’s redemptive acts, which encourages believers to trust Him with the present and future.
The sense of elation conveyed in “We are glad.” (v.3) mirrors the believer’s response to knowing God’s grace, echoed in passages that celebrate Christ’s redemptive work for all who trust in Him (John 3:16). As God’s people recall His faithfulness, it stirs a renewed hope, reminding us that the same God who acted in history continues to guide and deliver.
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Psalms 126:3 meaning
The psalmist declares, “The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.” (v.3) Here, the focus is on God’s remarkable blessing and restoration. In the broader context of Psalm 126, the people of Israel likely returned from exile, possibly in Babylon, to their homeland. Though Babylon was situated in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), the exiles made a difficult journey back to Jerusalem, the sacred city in the region of Judea. This return offered them a fresh start and a tangible demonstration of God’s goodness.
By proclaiming “The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.” (v.3) the psalmist testifies to a shared experience of blessing. The phrase “for us” brings a communal dimension: it is not merely an individual’s gratitude but a collective acknowledgment of God’s work for His people. Similarly, in the New Testament, when Zechariah speaks of the coming salvation through Jesus, he praises God for fulfilling His promises (Luke 1:68). Here in Psalm 126:3, the joy flows from looking back upon the Lord’s redemptive acts, which encourages believers to trust Him with the present and future.
The sense of elation conveyed in “We are glad.” (v.3) mirrors the believer’s response to knowing God’s grace, echoed in passages that celebrate Christ’s redemptive work for all who trust in Him (John 3:16). As God’s people recall His faithfulness, it stirs a renewed hope, reminding us that the same God who acted in history continues to guide and deliver.