The Daily Office for August 21, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 126
Judges 18:1-15
Acts 8:1-13
John 5:30-47
Reading (Psalm 126)
Reflection
The theme of Psalm 126 is praise for the reversal of captivity and a prayer for increased favor. Although we have no clue as to the author of this psalm, most commentators assume the occasion to be the restoration of Israel from Babylonian captivity. The Syriac version ascribes it to Haggai and Zechariah; other versions ascribe it to Ezra. If the psalm refers specifically to the restoration of the Jews, it falls quite nicely into the historic account given in Ezra 6:22 and Nehemiah 12:43. However, if the psalm refers to one of the many other restorations of Israel from desperate situations, the author must remain anonymous.
Of much greater consequence is the question of interpretation. Should we, with the majority of interpreters, understand this psalm to be a message of praise to God for the first wave of immigration back to Palestine after the Babylonian captivity? Or should we see the Captivity as that of the Holy City, Jerusalem, and therefore this psalm to have reference to any one of a number of occasions on which Jerusalem was besieged? Or is the psalm Messianic as well as historical, with the call for a restoration from Captivity in verse 4 to be understood as the national restoration of Israel when the Messiah returns in power and great glory? Regardless, we know that God is always faithful to restore His people when they turn from their sinfulness and return to Him.
Collect for the Day
O God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.