From weeping to joy, a Reflection on Psalm 126

Like Isaiah, the psalmist trusts the Lord to take care of the future because of what has already happened. "When you saved us before, we were full of joy."

Another parallel in this week's lessons: saying out loud that we had received gifts and we were happy about them.

Lent is a time that Christians look back--at what has been and what could have been, at what we have received and what we have lost. We remember our joys without forgetting our sorrows.

And it is a time that we look forward.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves