Lectio Divina of Psalm 126
Take a few moments to quietly prepare your heart to enter God’s presence. Intentionally release the chaos and the noise in your mind. Read these passages slowly, lingering over the words. After each reading, take a few moments to silently reflect. Afterwards, spend a few minutes in prayer over what you received from God’s Word and give thanks for His amazing words of life
After the 1st passage: Listen for a word or phrase that particularly strikes you.
After the 2nd passage: Listen to how the passage seems to touch your life experience.
After the 3rd passage: Reflect on the questions below.
Psalm 126
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.
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.
(ESV)
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When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,
it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter,
and we sang for joy. And the other nations said,
“What amazing things the LORD has done for them.”
Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us!
What joy!
Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert.
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
They weep as they go to plant their seed,
but they sing as they return with the harvest.
(NLT)
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It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,
when GOD returned Zion’s exiles.
We laughed, we sang, we couldn’t believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations—
“GOD was wonderful to them!” GOD was wonderful to us;
we are one happy people.
And now, GOD, do it again— bring rains to our
drought-stricken lives so those who planted
their crops in despair will shout “Yes!” at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.
(MSG)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS*
What is God doing in this passage? (Circle all of the words that show His actions/work.)
What is God inviting me to do? (Underline the words that show your actions/work.)
In what ways has God “done great things” for me?
How have I “sowed in tears” and planted “in despair”?
How am I anticipating a harvest of joy in my story?
We invite you to take use the Lectio Divina worksheet, linked in the button above, to enhance your experience.