What does Psalm 126:4 mean?

Now that the Babylonian captivity had ended (2 Chronicles 36:17–21; Ezra 2:1), the psalmist's thoughts turned to the need for the Lord's continued blessings. These may be generic ideas about prosperity and safety. However, some commentators link this to a desire to see all of the Israelite refugees return to the Promised Land. Although permitted to go home, ancient historians such as Josephus indicate that most people of Israel chose to stay in Babylon.

Imagery of streams in the Negeb desert may represent this desire to see Israel's population explode with growth. During the dry season, riverbeds in the Negeb region are often dry. When seasonal rains come, water collects from the mountains and those meager streams become overflowing rivers. It may be that the psalmist longs to see Israel's faint presence in those first days after the exile rapidly become a great homecoming of the nation's people. Only the Lord would have the power to make this happen (Ezekiel 34:26), and with much effort on the part of His devoted followers (Psalm 126:5–6).

The worldwide church of all believers can experience dry seasons in which many Christians are apathetic. Yet revival can cause showers of blessing to fall and Christians to grow and be fruitful. Habakkuk longed for revival. He prayed: "O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years, revive it; in the midst of the years make it known, in wrath remember mercy" (Habakkuk 3:2).