He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

PSALMS 126:6KJV
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Psalms 126:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 126:6 mean?

Psalms 126:6 describes a person who goes out weeping, carrying valuable seed to plant, but who will surely return with joy, bringing back bundles of harvested grain. The verse uses the image of sowing in sorrow and reaping in joy to express hope that present hardship will lead to future blessing.

The psalm is a song of ascent, likely sung by Israelites returning from exile or on pilgrimage. The speaker uses farming language familiar to ancient listeners, picturing someone planting seed in tears—perhaps because of hunger or loss—yet trusting that the effort will result in a joyful harvest. The verse highlights a journey from sadness to gladness, rooted in faith that difficult seasons can produce good outcomes.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 126:6

  • "Weepeth" (בָּכָה, bakhah): This word means to weep or mourn. The verse emphasizes real sorrow or struggle in the act of sowing, not just a mild sadness.
  • "Precious" (מֶשֶׁךְ, meshekh): This word can mean "precious" or "valuable." It shows that the seed being sown is costly, possibly all the person has left, making the act risky and full of faith.
  • "Sheaves" (אֲלֻמָּה, alummah): This word refers to bundles of harvested grain. The image is not just of a small return, but an abundant and visible reward for the effort and trust shown during the hard time.

Why Psalms 126:6 matters

  • Psalms 126:6 clarifies that the sorrow described is not pointless suffering, but purposeful effort with hope for a good outcome.
  • The verse connects personal hardship to the broader story of Israel’s return from exile, showing how national and individual struggles can lead to renewal.
  • The farming imagery helps readers understand that faith often involves risk and patience, trusting that present sacrifices will lead to future joy.

Where else these words appear

“precious” Hebrew H4901 · used in 2 verses

  • Job 28:18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.

“sheaves” Hebrew H485 · used in 2 verses

  • Genesis 37:7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

“rejoicing” 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.

“weepeth” Hebrew H1058 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 8:9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.