What Does Psalm 126:3 Mean in the King James?
The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
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
The verse repeats the prior line’s “great things for them,” but changes it to “with us”, the wonder becomes shared and personal.
THE MEANING
The LORD’s work among you is named as great, and recognizing it brings gladness into the present. You are included in that “us”: the verse holds shared joy in what the LORD has done.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The good in our lives is too small to count as great.
THE ROOT
הִגְדִּיל
higdil
GROWS FROM
גדל
Grow, become great; in this causative form, make great or magnify.
The verb translated “hath done great things” carries the sense of making great or magnifying. Hebrew keeps that movement visible, then joins it to “with us”: the LORD’s action is named as great among the people sharing in it.
ALSO GROWS
gadol: Great.
גָּדוֹל
This adjective comes from the same root, showing that the verse’s “great things” and the language of greatness grow from one seed.
gadal: Grow or become great.
גָּדַל
The growth sense sits beneath “magnified,” revealing an image of greatness increasing rather than merely a label attached to an act.
THE PATTERN
Recognizing the LORD’s works as great turns remembrance into gladness and praise.
For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.THE THREAD
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.This is the line’s immediate echo: the same Hebrew verb, הִגְדִּיל (higdil, “has made great” or “magnified”), appears in both verses. The declaration shifts from “for them” to “with us,” as witnessed greatness becomes shared gladness.
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