“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5–6 ESV).
The psalmist composed Psalm 126 as one of the Songs of Ascents, intended to be sung by Israelite pilgrims traveling up to Jerusalem for worship. Remembering how the Lord had once restored His people from exile, the psalm celebrated God’s past deliverance (vv. 1–3) while expressing confident hope that He would bring their restoration to completion (vv. 4–6). The imagery of “sowing in tears” did not mean the tears were the seed, but that faithful, obedient labor was carried out with tears still falling. The returned exiles faced a devastated land that required slow, painful work—plowing hardened soil, replanting ruined fields, rebuilding broken communities. Yet the psalmist affirmed that God never wasted such tear-filled obedience. Their weeping accompanied the work, but their sowing represented continuing trust in God’s character even when circumstances appeared discouraging. The promise of a joyful harvest pointed forward to God’s sure faithfulness.
This theme harmonizes beautifully with Jesus’ beatitudes, where He declared those who mourn as being blessed (Matt. 5:4; Luke 6:21). Their mourning revealed dependence, the broken-hearted posture of those who knew they had nothing but God Himself. Just as Israel sowed while weeping, trusting God for a future harvest, Jesus taught that those who grieve in humble faith will one day be comforted by God’s overflowing joy.
As followers of Christ, we may go through seasons of sowing in tears. When we experience disappointment, discouragement, or difficulty, we can continue to obey, pray, serve, and witness because we trust the Lord who oversees the harvest. Our sowing represents every faithful step we take when the results remain unseen—our gospel efforts, our persevering prayers, our patient endurance, our quiet acts of obedience. Even when tears accompany our work, we cling to the promise that God never wastes them. He is the same faithful Lord who began His restoration in us and will surely bring it to completion. So we keep walking in dependence, sowing in faith, and trusting Him for the day when we will come home rejoicing, arms full of His gracious harvest.
PRAYER: Dear Father, strengthen us to keep sowing faithfully even when tears accompany our steps. Teach us to trust Your character and promises more than our circumstances. And strengthen our faith that You will turn our tear-filled obedience into a joyful harvest. Help us walk with humble dependence and steadfast hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.