Bible Strands
Psalms 126:1
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The community of Zion, speaking to one another after the return from exile. The superscript marks it as a song of ascents, sung on the way up to Jerusalem.
The words — חֹלְמִֽים (chole.mim), "those who dream," is the image that carries the verse; the literal sense is a sustained state of being, not a passing simile. The noun שִׁיבַ֣ת (shi.Vat), "restoration," names the action that triggers it.
The thread — The same restoration-from-captivity language appears in Hosea 6:11, Joel 3:1, and Psalms 85:1, where Yahweh is the agent who turns the people back.
Why it lands — The verse asks a reader to accept that some events are so large they can only be approximated, not described. "Like dreamers" is an admission of inadequacy, not a metaphor to be resolved.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A Song of degrees. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
Cross-references
- Hosea 6:11 Also for you, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I restore My people from captivity.
- Joel 3:1 “Yes, in those days and at that time, when I restore Judah and Jerusalem from captivity,
- Psalms 85:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. You showed favor to Your land, O LORD; You restored Jacob from captivity.
- Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly!
- Psalms 53:6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! When God restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!
- Psalms 120:1 A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.
- Psalms 123:1 A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven.
- Acts 12:9 So Peter followed him out, but he was unaware that what the angel was doing was real. He thought he was only seeing a vision.
- Job 42:10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his prosperity and doubled his former possessions.
- Psalms 124:1 A song of ascents. Of David. If the LORD had not been on our side—let Israel now declare—