Psalm 126:4

Psalm 126:4

Let the streams flow

It seems that this Psalm was written at a point when some of the exiled Jews were still in captivity in Babylon. This may have been of their own choosing, there are records that show that some never returned to Israel, they had started businesses, they had settled into the culture and integrated with their Babylonian contemporaries. Others simply lacked the will or the means to make the journey home, it may even be that only limited numbers were given permission to leave. The cry of the psalmist is simply that the Lord should bring back all of the captives, he puts it like this, “restore our fortunes, Lord.” The wealth of Israel was, and still is, its people, it has always been God’s purpose that they should return and dwell in the land that He appointed to them. To this day, nothing has changed.

The Negev is the desert wastelands that cover a vast area south of Israel and east of Egypt. In summer this area is arid and seared by scorching heat, it is only in winter that rains fall and bring some relief to the parched landscape. The psalmist compares this to Israel and recognises its need of people and the resources that they bring, he calls out to the Lord to restore the people and the land. They have always been inextricably linked together. 

It seems that many churches in the West today are like the Negev; they are barren, in need of people, crying out for workers and for fruitfulness to return. The rains of the Holy Spirit have dried up and there is a desperate need for renewal and revival. So, let’s make this our prayer today, “Restore our fortunes, Lord.”

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