Verses 1-6

A song of those who have been redeemed (from exile), and a hopeful prayer for those who have not yet returned.

1. Turned again the captivity of Zion] either, brought back the exiles who returned to Zion, or, turned again the fortunes of Zion, i.e. perhaps, set her free from foreign yoke.

4. Turn again our captivity] perhaps, 'bring back the exiles.' As the streams in the south] i.e. like the hill streams in the arid S. land of Judah (the Negeb), dry for a time in summer but becoming suddenly swollen torrents in the rains of autumn.

5. A proverb—sow in tears, reap with ringing cries. The reference may be to the difficulties amid which the pioneers of the return from exile had to work: cp. Ezr and Neh.

6. Weepeth] suggestive of the patient labour of the sower. Bearing precious seed] better, 'bearing a measure of seed.' The sower carried the seed in a cloth tied to his body—this cloth full is a 'measure.'