Ps. cxxvi. 5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
THIS seems to be a general truth founded on the experience of those who returned from the Babylonish captivity, and the correspondent experience of all who return from the bondage of sin and Satan. The Israelites, like Peter liberated from his prison, were so astonished at their deliverance, that it seemed to them more like a dream than a reality. The very heathens themselves wondered at it, and ascribed it to the influence of Jehovah, as also the Israelites did with joy and gratitude, taking occasion from it to implore the speedy and perfect restoration of all their
tribesa. Such also are the wonder and joy occasioned by the conversion of a soul to God; and such are the desires which instantly vent themselves in fervent petitions for complete deliverance. But as among the captive Jews, so in the enslaved soul, a season of sorrow precedes the time of emancipation. Never- theless it shall be found universally true, that they who sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Let us inquire, I. What we are to understand by sowing in tears ?
" The sorrow of the world worketh death ; " and therefore cannot be that to which the promise is made. To sow in tears implies,
1. A painful recollection of past sins —
[We all are sinners from our earliest youth : and every sin we have ever committed, is as fresh in the remembrance of the Deity as if it had been committed this very hour. Nor should we think the less of our sins because they have been long passed : on the contrary, we should view them with all the shame and sorrow that they excited in our bosoms the very instant that our consciences first accused us. Like God's people of old, we should be bowed down greatly in the recol- lection of them b, and earnestly entreat, with David, that God would not call us into judgment for them c.]
2. A penitent concern for present infirmities — [The very best of men has much within him to mourn
over. It is but in part that any of us are renewed. Many are the corruptions that yet work within us ; and the very imper- fection of our prayers and praises is enough to make us go mourning all the day long. St. Paul found so much conflict in his soul by reason of his indwelling corruptions that he ex- claimed, "O wretched man that I amd!" and groaned earnestly for death as the season when he should be freed from all the imperfections of his nature, and serve, as well as enjoy, God with unabated ardour e. Thus should we also " go softly before God in the bitterness of our souls f," and lothe ourselves before him in dust and ashes g.]
a Ver. 1 — 4. The rain which descended in torrents on the southern or hilly country of Judea, often filled the vallies with rapid streams, which quickly passing away as soon as the rain ceased, the rivers were suddenly transformed into verdant fields. Thus sudden and perfect the Israelites desired their restoration to he.
b Ps. xxxviii. 3 — 8. Jer. xxxi. 19. and iii. 25. Ezek. xvi. 63.
e Ps. xxv. 7. d Rom. vii. 14 — 24. e 2 Cor. v. 4.
f Isai. xxxviii. 15. s Job xl. 4. and xlii. 6.