b) God, who cannot lie, hath promised it.
4. When this joyful harvest may be expected. It must not be expected in our wintry world, for there is not sun enough to ripen it. Heaven is the Christian's summer. When you come to reap the fruits of your present trials, you will bless God, who made you sow in tears. Improvement .
a) How greatly are they to blame who in this busy time stand all the day idle!
b) How greatly have Christians the advantage of the rest of the world!
c) Let the hope and prospect of this joyful harvest support us under all the glooms and distresses of this vale of tears.— Outline of a Sermon by Samuel Lavington, 1726-1807.
Verse 5. Two pictures. The connecting "shall."
Verse 5.
1. There must be sowing before reaping.
2. What men sow they will reap. If they sow precious seed, they will reap precious seed.
3. In proportion as they sow they will reap. "He that soweth sparingly", etc.
4. The sowing may be with sorrow, but the reaping will be with joy.
5. In proportion to the sorrow of sowing will be the joy of reaping.— G. R.
Verse 6. In the two parts of this verse we may behold a threefold antithesis or opposition; in the progress ,
1. A sojourning: "He that now goeth on his way."
2. A sorrowing: "weeping."
3. A sowing: "and beareth forth good seed." In the regress there are three opposites unto these.
1. Returning: "He shall doubtless come again."
2. A Rejoicing: "with joy."
3. A Reaping: "and bring his sheaves with him."
— John Hume.
Verse 6. "Doubtless." Or the reasons why our labour cannot be in vain in the Lord.
Verse 6. Bringing his sheaves with him. The faithful sower's return to his Lord. Successful, knowing it, personally honoured, abundantly recompensed.
Verse 6. See "Spurgeon's Sermons" No. 867: "Tearful Sowing and Joyful Reaping."
Verse 6.
1. The sorrowful sower.
a) His activity—"he goeth forth."
b) His humility—"and weepeth."
c) His fidelity—"bearing precious seed."
2. The joyful reaper.
a) His certain harvest time—"shall doubtless come again."
b) His abundant joy—"with rejoicing."
c) His rich rewards—"bringing his sheaves with him."
— W. H. J. P.
WORK UPON THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIXTH PSALM
The Jews' deliverance out of Babylon, and the mystery of our Redemption: Plainely demonstrated in ten Sermons upon the 126. Psalme. ...Preached in Yorkshire, By John Hume, Minister of the Word ... London...1628 4to .