Bible Strands
Psalms 126:3
The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses Yahweh directly, speaking for a community that has just experienced deliverance and is responding to the surrounding nations' acknowledgment of God's action. The moment follows a collective restoration that prompted public shouts of joy.
The words — The Hebrew הִגְדִּיל (hig.Dil, "he has made great") and שְׂמֵחִים (se.me.Chim, "joyful") anchor the declaration. The text states Yahweh performed great acts among the people and that they were consequently filled with joy.
The thread — This language of divine greatness echoes in Luke 1:49, where Mary notes the Mighty One has done great things for her. The motif of revealed divine power and subsequent rejoicing also appears in Isaiah 66:14.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to recognize joy as a direct response to documented divine action rather than a self-generated emotion. It demands accountability to acknowledge God's past interventions before requesting future restoration.
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
The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
Cross-references
- Luke 1:49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
- Isaiah 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?
- Isaiah 66:14 When you see, you will rejoice, and you will flourish like grass; then the hand of the LORD will be revealed to His servants, but His wrath will be shown to His enemies.
- Isaiah 12:4 and on that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD; proclaim His name! Make His works known among the peoples; declare that His name is exalted.
- Psalms 66:5 Come and see the works of God; how awesome are His deeds toward mankind.
- Psalms 68:7 O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wasteland, Selah
- Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down—he who accuses them day and night before our God.
- Revelation 19:1 After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God!
- Psalms 31:19 How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have bestowed before the sons of men on those who take refuge in You!
- Isaiah 11:11 On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.