Click on player below to hear a sample portion of this Psalm MP3:

The Psalm singing on this MP3 (digital download) covers Psalm 126:1-6, as sung to the tune Spohr from the 1650 Scottish Metrical Psalter.

1    When Sion's bondage God turn'd back,

          as men that dream'd were we.

2    Then fill'd with laughter was our mouth,

          our tongue with melody:

      They 'mong the heathen said, The Lord

          great things for them hath wrought.

3    The Lord hath done great things for us,

          whence joy to us is brought.

4    As streams of water in the south,

          our bondage, Lord, recall.

5    Who sow in tears, a reaping time

          of joy enjoy they shall.

6    That man who, bearing precious seed,

          in going forth doth mourn,

      He doubtless, bringing back his sheaves,

          rejoicing shall return.

John Brown of Haddington's notes on Psalm 126 follow:

This psalm relates to some remarkable deliverance of the Jewish church, perhaps from Babylon, as typical of those of the gospel church; and, (1.) Represents great admiration of, and thankfulness for the deliverance, ver. 1-3. (2.) Contains prayers for, and encouragement to saints exercised with tribulations, ver. 4-6.

While I sing, let me admire the Lord's kindness to my country, to his gospel church ­ to mankind ­ to my soul. And, in my remaining distress, personal or relative, let me sow in mourning and supplication, that I may through grace reap joyful deliverances, and everlasting consolations.

From: THE PSALMS OF DAVID IN METRE (The Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650) by the Westminster Assembly, Covenanted Church of Scotland General Assembly and Francis Rouse (1646-1650), With Notes Exhibiting the Connection, Explaining the Sense, and for Directing and Animating the Devotion On Each Psalm by John Brown Of Haddington (from the 1844 edition of this Psalter published by Robert Carter, New York).

This Psalm MP3 digital download comes from the album Scottish Metrical Psalms, Volume 4 available on CD or as an album MP3 digital download.