PSALM 126

During the winter months, there is a Jewish tradition of studying a special set of psalms - "tehilim" - on Shabbat afternoons. These psalms, #120-#134, are known as the Shir HaMaalot/Songs of Ascent psalms, as that is the first phrase in each psalm.  Each week, one of these psalms will be presented here.  We have so far covered Psalm 104, the Psalm for the New Month, and Psalms 120-125. This week, we look at Psalm 126, which we can find in Sefaria at https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.126?lang=bi and in our Siddur Lev Shalem prayerbooks at both pages 87 and 447.

The psalm refers to Tzion (Zion), (ציון), one of the Bible’s names for Jerusalem which is also used in a more general sense for the entire Land of Israel. This name is closely related to the word for ‘special’ and ‘distinctive,’ m’tzuyan (מצוין). This teaches that God’s holy city is more than a location. According to the late British Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, “Tzion is not just a place. It is a way of life. Jews are called to moral excellence, to be different…” G-d created a special place on earth which would be the ideal incubator for spiritual growth. The word Tzion, therefore, describes not only where we live, but how we must live.

Psalm 126 is recited by Jews upon completing a festive meal (it is the traditional opening of the Birkat HaMazon), connecting it with the eternal longing for both physical redemption and spiritual greatness in Zion. When G-d finally returns His people to Israel, they will be “as in a dream,” as the actual redemption and height­ened spirituality will be even greater than imagined, beyond our wildest dreams.

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

When Adoshem returned us to Zion we were like dreamers—

our mouths filled with laughter, our tongues with song.

The nations said: How Adoshem has raised them up!

Adoshem did raise us up and we were happy.

Make our return, Adoshem, like the streams suddenly gushing in the Negev.

May those who sow with tears harvest with song.

In tears, the sower walks back and forth, carrying the basket of seed;

may the farmer return, carrying the harvested sheaves, singing.