The Meaning of Psalms 126:6 Explained

Psalms 126:6

KJV: He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

YLT: Whoso goeth on and weepeth, Bearing the basket of seed, Surely cometh in with singing, bearing his sheaves!

Darby: He goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for scattering; he cometh again with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves.

ASV: He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him .

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He that goeth  forth  and weepeth,  bearing  precious  seed,  shall doubtless  come  again with rejoicing,  bringing  his sheaves  [with him]. 

What does Psalms 126:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 126:1-6 - "the Lord Hath Done Great Things For Us"
The circumstances under which this psalm was written are evident upon its face. The exiles, lately back from Babylon, are rejoicing in the gladness of their return. But their joy was not complete so long as the larger portion of their nation were still in bondage. The metaphor of streams in the South is derived from the rapidity with which dry water-courses become flushed with torrent streams. The returned exiles longed to see the vacant solitudes of their land suddenly filled with returning crowds. They asked that their tears might be the seeds of mighty harvests. Let not the Christian worker count as lost the seeds he sows or the tears in which he steeps them. That doubtless is God's guarantee.
Psalms 127:1-5
This psalm was probably suggested by Ezra's efforts to rebuild the Temple. We cannot succeed apart from God, but must be His fellow-workers. See Proverbs 10:22. The bread of trouble is that which is hardly obtained, where labor is severe, and the results slow. Beware of needless anxiety. As builders, Psalms 127:1, look to God for plan, materials, and co-operation. As watchers, Psalms 127:1, commit all keeping to God's watch and ward. As toilers, Psalms 127:2, have a little more quiet rest and ease of mind. As parents, Psalms 127:3-5, do not shrink from parental responsibilities; when you are old, your children will answer for you. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 126

1  The church celebrating her incredible return out of captivity
4  Prays for and prophesies the good success thereof

What do the individual words in Psalms 126:6 mean?

Continually He who goes forth and weeping Bearing for sowing seed doubtless shall come again with rejoicing Bringing his sheaves [with him]
הָ֘ל֤וֹךְ יֵלֵ֨ךְ ׀ וּבָכֹה֮ נֹשֵׂ֪א מֶֽשֶׁךְ־ הַ֫זָּ֥רַע בֹּֽ֬א־ יָב֥וֹא בְרִנָּ֑ה נֹ֝שֵׂ֗א אֲלֻמֹּתָֽיו

הָ֘ל֤וֹךְ  Continually 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
יֵלֵ֨ךְ ׀  He  who  goes  forth 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
וּבָכֹה֮  and  weeping 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: בָּכָה  
Sense: to weep, bewail, cry, shed tears.
נֹשֵׂ֪א  Bearing 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
מֶֽשֶׁךְ־  for  sowing 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מֶשֶׁךְ  
Sense: a drawing, drawing up, drawing up a trail.
הַ֫זָּ֥רַע  seed 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: זֶרַע  
Sense: seed, sowing, offspring.
בֹּֽ֬א־  doubtless 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
יָב֥וֹא  shall  come  again 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
בְרִנָּ֑ה  with  rejoicing 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular
Root: רִנָּה  
Sense: ringing cry.
נֹ֝שֵׂ֗א  Bringing 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
אֲלֻמֹּתָֽיו  his  sheaves  [with  him] 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אֲלֻמָּה  
Sense: sheaf (as something bound).