Song Deep Dive: Psalm 126 (Filled with Joy)
About Psalm 126
Psalm 126 is a song of restoration and joy. It looks back to a time when the LORD brought His people home from exile in Babylon, fulfilling His promise after seventy years in captivity. The psalm begins, “When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.” (Psalm 126:1) What once seemed impossible became reality, as God brought His people back. Their mouths were filled with laughter and their tongues with songs of joy as they marveled at what the LORD had done.
Yet the psalm also turns into a prayer for renewal: “Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev.” (Psalm 126:4) The Negev Desert was dry and barren until the rains came, suddenly filling the riverbeds with water and bringing new life. In the same way, the psalmist prays for God to bring fresh restoration to His people.
Psalm 126 closes with a promise: “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5) It reminds us that God sees our sorrow, honors our faithfulness in times of struggle, and will one day turn our weeping into joy. This psalm captures both remembrance and hope, looking back with gratitude for what God has done and looking forward with confidence that He will do it again.
Psalm 126
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
Stephen's Thoughts
Out of all the Psalms of Ascent, Psalm 126 was written the fastest. My wife, Lisa, gave me a banjolele as a Christmas present, and shortly after that, I sat down with the psalm, and the song just flowed from that little instrument. This song is intentionally simple and folksy, written to be sung together by the people of God as a shared expression of joy and restoration.
Listen to Psalm 126 (Filled with Joy)
Musical Credits
Stephen Vesolich (Vocals, Banjolele, and Guitar)
Stephanie Wilsey (Vocals and Piano)
Lisa Vesolich (Vocals and Djembe)
Alexa Wisley (Vocals)
Sonny Romich (Keyboard and Hammond)
Jane Howell (Flute)
Dane Howell (Violin)
Keith Hackett (Drums)
Dave Holbert (Bass)
Lyrics
When the LORD brought back
the captives to Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations:
The LORD has done great things for us.
The LORD has done great things for us.
(We’re filled with joy (filled with joy),
Filled with joy (filled with joy).
Filled with joy (filled with joy).
Filled with joy) 2x
Restore our fortunes, Oh LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy. Saying
The LORD has done great things for us.
The LORD has done great things for us.
(We’re filled with joy (filled with joy),
Filled with joy (filled with joy).
Filled with joy (filled with joy).
Filled with joy) 2x
The LORD has done great things for us.
The LORD has done great things for us.
(We’re filled with joy! (filled with joy!) 15x
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