Commentary on Psalms Volume 3 John Calvin (continued)
Psalm 126
PSALM 126
This Psalm consists of three parts. First, the Prophet exhorts the faithful, who had returned from the captivity, to gratitude, and highly extols the grace displayed in their deliverance, to show them, beyond all doubt, that they were brought back to their own country by the hand of God, and not by a fortuitous conjuncture of circumstances, or by the favor of men. In the second part a prayer is added, that God would perfect his own work which he had begun. Finally, although there was no immediate prospect of a full restoration, yet he mitigates the feeling of weariness which delay might occasion, and assures them, that though at present the seed was watered with tears, the harvest would be joyous.
A Song of Degrees.
Psalm 126:1-3
1. When Jehovah brought back the captivity 526 of Zion, we were like those that dream. 2. Now shall our mouth be filled 527 with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing: now shall they say 528 among the
The abstract noun is put for the concrete, "the captivity of Zion" for "the captives of Zion" — those who were led away captive from Zion. Accordingly, in the French version, Calvin uses the concrete —"Les captifs;" —"The captives."
"Ou, alors nostre bouche a este remplie." — Fr. marg. "Or, then our mouth was filled."
"Ou, alors on disoit." — Fr. marg. "Or, then they said."