Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

PSALMS 126:2KJV
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Psalms 126:2 (KJV)

What does Psalms 126:2 mean?

Psalms 126:2 describes a time when the people’s joy was so great that their mouths were filled with laughter and their tongues with songs of happiness, and even other nations noticed that the LORD had done remarkable things for them. The verse shows how God’s actions brought such obvious joy and restoration that outsiders recognized His work.

The setting is a song of celebration, likely after the Israelites returned from exile or were delivered from trouble. The speaker is the community of Israel, expressing their overwhelming happiness and relief. The verse highlights both the deep emotional response of the people and the public recognition of God’s intervention by surrounding nations.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 126:2

  • "Laughter" (שְׂחוֹק, sechoq): This word means more than just a chuckle; it points to deep, genuine joy that bursts out in laughter, showing how overwhelming the people’s happiness was.
  • "Singing" (רִנָּה, rinah): This term often refers to joyful, triumphant singing, not just any song, emphasizing the celebratory mood.
  • "Heathen" (גּוֹי, goy): This word means “nations” or “peoples,” referring to those outside Israel. The verse notes that even these outsiders recognized God’s work, underlining how public and undeniable the change was.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, making it clear that the praise and credit for these great things goes specifically to Him, not to any other power.

Why Psalms 126:2 matters

  • The verse clears up that the joy described is not private or quiet; it is so visible and overwhelming that even other nations notice and comment on it.
  • It emphasizes that the restoration or deliverance is attributed directly to the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH), not to chance or human effort.
  • This verse connects to the wider psalm, which celebrates God’s faithfulness in turning sorrow into joy, and sets up the theme of public testimony to God’s actions.

Where else these words appear

“laughter” Hebrew H7814 · used in 14 verses

  • Job 8:21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
  • Jeremiah 20:7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

“singing” Hebrew H7440 · used in 33 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
  • Psalms 105:43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
  • Isaiah 43:14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

“things” Hebrew H1431 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • 1 Chronicles 17:24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
  • Isaiah 23:4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.

“tongue” Hebrew H3956 · used in 115 verses

  • Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
  • Psalms 39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
  • Proverbs 25:23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.