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Expanded Comments | Additional Comments |
| 1 A Song of degrees. When Jehovah turned 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 rejoicing: then said they among the nations, Jehovah 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 Jehovah hath done great things for us; and we are joyful. |
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 our captivity, O Jehovah, as the streams in the south. |
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| 5 They that sow in tears shall reap with rejoicing: |
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 goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for scattering; he cometh again with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves. |
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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