“When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion” appears to refer to the restoration from Babylonian captivity. This event was obviously met with a response of laughter and songs of joy. The early postexilic period, however, was also marked by hardships, and so there was still the need to petition Yahweh to “restore our fortunes” (see further below). This historical setting accords well with the psalms of ascent in general and with the two preceding psalms in particular. As with most psalms, however, Psalm 126 is open to numerous, recurring situations. It can apply to any instance where God has restored believers, who, in turn, seek to ensure that the restoration be all that God has promised (see esp. the marginal readings in the NIV).

The psalm begins with a reminder—both for Yahweh and …