Lit., turning; not the same word as in v. 4.
Psa. 120 title
Lit., turning; not the same word as in v. 4.
Referring, perhaps, to the captives. In a human sense, their captivity in foreign countries was a suffering. In a divine sense, however, it was a sowing through their preaching to the Gentiles concerning God. As a result, a number of Gentiles (sheaves) were brought to God through these captives. This indicates that the captives sowed the seed of the knowledge of God among the heathen. Cf. Ruth 1:16 and note Ruth 1:162.
Although some of the people had returned, many remained in captivity; hence, the psalmist prayed for them.
Psalm 126 is the praise of the returned captives, in their going up to Zion, concerning the great things that Jehovah had done for them.