Psalm 126

Consider seeing this poem in two major sections. Verses 1-3 could be a dream (night). Verses 4-6 are set in the Prairies on a golden day.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.

NIGHT dream sequence

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.

DAY Prairie sequence

SECTION 1 vs 1-3 ( night )

Note a few structural points –

  • count off : 1 when, 2 then, 3 then, 4 the, 5 the on one hands fingers.
  • Notice “We” comes in the first and fifth line –

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.

The first section is a Night DREAM Sequence: I have set this in a circus – you the reader are the vet tending a rather weary lion!

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.

Restore a fortunate lion in a circus evening show ( restore the fortunes of Zion ) you are dreaming

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;

As the lion comes round laugh hilariously – ( perhaps fill your mouth with lager to celebrate?)

note mouth before tongue

Then they said among the nations,
    

The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us;
    

The circus international audience start saying to each other ( then they said among the nations ) :

The Lord has done great things for Ben'( the lion ! ) they are admiring your veterinary skills, (The Lord has done great things for THEM)

You say, The Lord has done great things for Gus ( the lion’s second name!) ( The Lord has done great things for US )

We are glad.

The audience shout, ” We are Glad!”

Section 2 vs 4 – 6 (day)

In this section of the psalm go out onto the Prairies in the MORNING sun There are four scenes –

  • vegetable patch: with stream and fountain
  • field 1 with freshly turned soil ready for sowing, field 2 with wheat ready to harvest – reap
  • Lanes outside the farm gate
  • Returning from the Market

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negeb!

Restore a fountain fed by streams in your vegetable patch (Negeb)

Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!

Walk on to field 1 sowing seed in tiered – terraced rows. Each seed also has a tear painted on it.

In field 2 scythe your mature crop – reap with shouts of joy

https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/food

He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,


shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.

Go out onto the LANE beyond the farm gate – weeping and carrying a huge sack of seed on your back ( bearing the seed) to the market

You come home from the market with shouts of joy in your trailer full of sheaves with a bell ringing (bringing)

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