REAPING FOLLOWS WEEPING

This psalm celebrates one deliverance, v. 1, and pleads for another, v. 4. It involves the emotions: blissful incredulity, v. 1; laughter and singing, v. 2; gladness, v. 3; tears and rejoicing, vv. 5, 6. Its structure is as follows:

1. Enjoyment of past blessings, vv. 1-3.
2. Entreaty for further deliverance, v. 4.
3. Encouragement for zealous toil, vv. 5, 6.

The release of the first group of Jewish captives in Babylon to return to the promised land overwhelmed the exiles with bliss and amazement. They were like them that dream, unable at first to grasp that it was really happening. And when the glad truth dawned, they were filled with laughter and singing.

Their pagan neighbours were equally staggered. They could think of only one conceivable explanation. The God of Israel must have intervened on behalf of His people. No other explanation was adequate or tenable. “Then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them”. These pagans were not predisposed to reach such a conclusion; they worshipped their own gods. But the sheer improbability of the decree of Cyrus which led to the release compelled them (rightly) to attribute events to the living God. To which the liberated Jews agreed, “The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad”, v. 3.

But once back home, the exiles encountered persecution and problems as well as joy and encouragement. They were led to pray, “Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south”. Verses 5, 6 contain God’s rather unexpected answer, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy”. It is as though God said to His people, “There is work to be done. Get on with it, whatever the cost”.

And so must we. God’s answer to any barrenness we feel today, especially in our witness to the lost, is that we commit ourselves to earnest sowing of the seed of the gospel. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him”, v. 6. We have to learn how to weep for the lost if we are ever likely to lead them to Christ, Acts 20. 19.

“The fields … are white already to harvest”, John 4. 35.