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Scripture Guide

Psalm 126

Keywords (7)
Updated
  • Oct 23, 2023

AIM commentary

Ancient lens

What's the historical context?

A Song Celebrating the Return from Babylonian Exile

The book of Ezra recounts the return of 50,000 exiles and their entourage from Babylon after Cyrus the Great conquered the land and issued a decree in 538 BCE allowing the repatriation of the captives to their Judean home. Psalm 126 is part of a section of the Psalter called the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). They were the traveling music of the caravans of pilgrims who ascended to Jerusalem for the three required annual festivals: Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles). When the choral jukebox raised its collective voice to sing song number 7 (Psalm 126) on the playlist, the hearts…

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