What Does Psalm 126:2 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Restoration fills the mouth with laughter, turns the tongue to song, and becomes so audible that even outsiders name what the LORD has done.
THE MEANING
Restoration reaches you as something your body can voice: laughter fills your mouth and a ringing cry fills your tongue. People beyond your circle hear the change and recognize the LORD’s great action for you.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Only people already inside your community can recognize what the LORD has done.
THE ROOT
שְׂחוֹק
seḥōq
GROWS FROM
שׂחק
To laugh, play, or make sport.
The Hebrew word for laughter comes from a root that also means to play or make sport, carrying a sense of unguarded liveliness. Here that joy fills the mouth, becoming audible rather than remaining a private feeling.
ALSO GROWS
śāḥaq: To laugh or play.
שָׂחַק
The verb shows that laughter belongs to an active, lively expression.
məśaḥēq: Playing or making sport.
מְשַׂחֵק
This branch brings the playful dimension of the root into view alongside laughter.
רִנָּה
rinnāh
GROWS FROM
רנן
To ring out, cry aloud, or sing aloud.
The word translated “singing” can also mean a ringing cry or shout of joy. The verse’s tongue is not merely carrying a tune; its joy breaks out as a voiced cry.
ALSO GROWS
rānan: To cry aloud or sing aloud.
רָנַן
The verb makes the song a vocal outpouring, not a silent state of mind.
renānāh: A joyful cry or exultation.
רְנָנָה
This branch shows how the root can hold both song and a cry of joy.
הִגְדִּיל
higdîl
GROWS FROM
גדל
To grow, become great, or make great; in this form, to act greatly.
The phrase translated “hath done great things” uses a verb from the root for becoming or making great. The people are naming the magnitude of the LORD’s action, not just reporting that something happened.
ALSO GROWS
gādal: To grow or become great.
גָּדַל
The root’s basic movement is an increase in size or stature.
gādōl: Great or large.
גָּדוֹל
This related adjective shows the same root’s sense of magnitude.
THE PATTERN
Restoration overflows into audible joy that witnesses can recognize.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;And all the people saw him walking and praising God:THE THREAD
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.Isaiah uses the same root, רנן (r-n-n), for the singing that accompanies return to Zion. The shared root links the tongue’s song here with a return from sorrow, while Psalm 126 shows others hearing and naming that changed state.
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