| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| A Song of degrees. |
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| 1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. |
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| 2 Then was our mouth filled with laugther, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. |
Tongue with singing – While the whole creation groans, the saintly few may sing, may rejoice. R4892:5
As Israel left Babylon with great joy, so we who have gotten free from mystic Babylon rejoice exceedingly and would not go back under any consideration. R3643:4
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| 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. |
For us – For natural Israel upon her return from literal Babylon; for spiritual Israel upon her return from mystic Babylon. R3643:1, R4892:2
We are glad – Those not thus stirred in spirit may as well stay in Babylon, as they would only prove snares and stumbling blocks to others. R2510:5
These have joy and peace because he grants to them a knowledge of his divine purposes and of things to come. R4892:5
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| 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. |
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| 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. |
They that sow – The work of seed sowing was to be one of the main features of the Church's work until the Harvest, but the work of the harvest time is altogether different. R885:2*
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| 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. |
And weepeth – Feeling the importance and cost of the work in self-sacrifice. R785:1
Touched with sympathy for the blinded and suffering. R935:5*
Doubtless come again – We "know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58); we will see some of the fruit. R785:1
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