Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 126:3
The LORD hath done great things for us; [whereof] we are glad.
3. The community appropriates the words of the nations, and recalls the joy of that wonderful time: Jehovah did great things for us: we were glad.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The Lord hath done great things for us – All that the people around us say is true. We see it; we feel it; we acknowledge it. Those to whom this pertained would see it more clearly than those who had merely observed it. A surrounding world may see in the conversion of a man, in his being turned from sin, in the influence of religion upon him, in his comfort, calmness, and peace, that the Lord has done great things for him; but he himself, while he responds most fully to what they say, will see this more clearly than they do. There is more in his redemption, his conversion, his peace and joy, than they do or can perceive, and with emphasis he himself will say, The Lord has done great things for me.
Whereof we are glad – It fills our souls with joy. If this is understood of the returning Hebrews – coming back from the captivity in Babylon – all must see how appropriate is the language; if it be applied to a sinner returning to God, it is no less suitable, for there is nothing that so fills the mind with joy as a true conversion to God.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 126:3
The Lord hath done great things for us.
Great things for us
I. The fact propounded. Note the personality of the statement. For us.
1. As regards our country. Where is there country so fair or land so fertile as ours? Where is such freedom and peace enjoyed?
2. As regards our religious privileges. We have a pure faith, an open Bible, and freedom to worship God as we think best.
3. As regards our individual wants. Homes, friends, food, sustenance, health, etc.
4. As regards our spiritual welfare. We were vile–we are made pure. We were far away–but are now brought nigh. God has done His part in all this, and if our eternal happiness is not assured the fault is ours, not His.
II. The feeling. Whereof we are glad. These Jews had been deprived of their privileges for some considerable period, and then, in the desolation of their spirits and in the misery of their servitude, they began to realize the mercies they had so thanklessly enjoyed. Do we not often tempt God to take away our privileges and to deprive us of our mercies? (J. J. S. Bird, B. A.)
Grateful acknowledgment of Divine goodness
I. A pleasing statement. What great things God hath done for His people–
1. In redemption.
2. In conversion.
3. In the bestowal of Divine freedom.
4. The enjoyment of Church fellowship.
5. By providential interpositions and deliverances.
6. By spiritual advancement.
II. A joyful statement. This gladness implies–
1. Sensibility.
2. Real enjoyment.
3. Heartfelt gladness.
4. Social gladness. For us.
III. Application.
1. Mourn your ingratitude and forgetfulness.
2. Pray for quickening grace.
3. Anticipate the time when you shall be made eternally glad. (Helps for the Pulpit.)
Great things
I. The Lords work acknowledged. God is at the head of all our affairs. Many will not give God the glory. Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 4:30); Herod (Act 12:21; Act 12:23).
II. Its greatness recognized.
1. Greater things than we deserved.
2. Greater things than we knew. Greater things than we expected.
III. An interest therein claimed. What advantage is there if we cannot say for us? The Jews knew what God had done by the edict of Cyrus. They must take advantage of it. God only opened the way, and constrained them to walk in it.
IV. Joyful gladness expressed.
1. Why are we glad?
(1) The work is so great.
(2) The work is done.
(3) The work is done well.
2. How should we show our gladness?
(1) By a cheerful countenance.
(2) By willing labour.
(3) By generous gifts.
V. Application.
1. Has the Lord done aught for you?
2. Have you acknowledged His hand?
3. Has it made you glad?
4. What are you expecting in the future? (The Study.)
Christian gratitude for the goodness of God: –
I. What things have been done for us?
1. National.
2. Domestic.
3. Personal.
II. Who hath done them?
III. How can we, for whom the Lord has done great things, most properly express our joy, and most profitably evince our gratitude? Those, certainly, may rejoice in benefits received whose consciences only testify to them of judgments deserved. Every one whom God has spared may warrantably believe that he has been spared for purposes of mercy. (T. Dale, M. A.)
Personal experience forceful
In most of the reviews of Mr. Morleys Life of Gladstone attention has been called to the fact that whilst the whole work is a literary masterpiece, the third volume is far above the two previous ones in picturesque and stirring power. The events it records took place under the writers own eye, and in them he took a prominent part, and this has given an ease, a freedom, and a force of description that no secondhand reports or most reliable documents can give. That which we have for ourselves seen, tasted, and handled is the part of our testimony that tells and brings conviction to others. (H. O. Mackey.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 3. The Lord hath done great things for us] We acknowledge the hand of our God. Deus nobis haec otia fecit, “God alone has given us this enlargement.”
We are glad.] This is a mere burst of ecstatic joy. O how happy are we!
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The Lord hath done great things for us,…. These words are generally supposed to be the words of the Jews, taking up those of the Gentiles, and confirming them; acknowledging that the Lord had done great things for them indeed; which, had they not owned, they would have been exceeding ungrateful; had they been silent concerning them, the stones would have cried out, and the very Heathens condemned them. But I see not why they may not be thought to be the words of those among the Heathens continued; declaring that the great things done were not for the Jews only, but for them also; as the great redemption by Christ is of persons out of every tongue, people, and nation; for he is the propitiation, not for the Jews only, but for the sins of the whole world; and having this in view, thus they express themselves. The work of redemption is a great thing of itself; the produce of great wisdom; the effect of great love; procured at a great price, for great sinners, by a great Saviour; and is not only a deliverance from sin, Satan, and the law; but contains many great and glorious blessings in it, as justification, remission of sins, adoption, and eternal life;
[whereof] we are glad; that those great things are done without us, finished by the Redeemer himself; that they are so great and glorious, so rich and plenteous, so full and free, and suitable to us; and done for us sinners of the Gentiles, so unworthy of them, who are by nature children of wrath as others.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Psa 126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; [whereof] we are glad.
Ver. 3. The Lord hath done great things ] q.d. It is a shame, then, for us not to say so, much more; and, by a holy avarice, to take the praises out of their mouths, who are no sharers in it, but spectators only. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, speaking good of his name.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 126:3
Psa 126:3
THE SONG
“Jehovah hath done great things for us,
Whereof we are glad.”
These words have been made the basis for, “Interpreting the psalm as a sort of Lenten liturgy, preparatory to the New Year. However, we are delighted that the same author candidly admitted that such an interpretation requires, “Reading into the text more than is warranted.
What is stated in Psa 126:3 is that Israel itself joined the chorus of the Gentile nations in praising God for the mighty things done upon behalf of the Chosen People.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 126:3. For comments on this verse see those on verse Psa 126:1.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Psa 18:50, Psa 31:19, Psa 66:5, Psa 66:6, Psa 68:7, Psa 68:8, Psa 68:22, Ezr 7:27, Ezr 7:28, Isa 11:11-16, Isa 12:4-6, Isa 51:9-11, Isa 52:9, Isa 52:10, Isa 66:14, Luk 1:46, Luk 1:49, Eph 1:18-22, Rev 12:10, Rev 19:1-7
Reciprocal: Num 23:23 – What hath 1Sa 12:24 – how great things Psa 71:19 – who hast Psa 92:4 – General Psa 145:6 – And men Jer 33:9 – a name Eze 37:13 – General Eze 39:13 – the day Joe 2:26 – that Zep 3:14 – shout Luk 8:39 – and published
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 126:3. The Lord hath done great things for us And we should be very ungrateful if we did not thankfully acknowledge it, and praise him for the singular benefits, which excite even the wonder of strangers; for the Lord hath not only restored our liberty, but manifested the greatness of his power in affecting this our deliverance; whereof we are glad Which justly fills us with joy and triumph.