Daily Scripture

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

then were we like those who dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter

and our tongue with songs of joy.

3 Then said they among the nations,

‘The Lord has done great things for them.’

4 The Lord has indeed done great things for us,

and therefore we rejoiced.

5 Restore again our fortunes, O Lord,

as the river beds of the desert.

6 Those who sow in tears

shall reap with songs of joy.

7 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed,

will come back with shouts of joy,

bearing their sheaves with them.     (Psalm 126)

Daily Reflection

The Psalmist is looking back at a time when God took pity on Israel (Zion is another name for the Hebrew nation) and made her a happy place to live in, once again. Now he, or she, is pleading with God to once more turn their weeping into singing, picturing a time when their sorrow will be a but a distant memory.

Can we imagine a future when our tears have dried and our joy has returned? When our anxiety has run its course and we are no longer wary of others? Let us pray, as we start this week, that these happy days are just round the corner, and that much joy awaits us, as God restores our fortunes, as individuals, as a people, as citizens of the world. Amen

Revd Ylva