I. The Exhilaration of Salvation That Leads Us to Praise the Lord with Great Joy
Psalm 126 is well known as one of the "Songs of Ascents," which the people of Israel would often sing when they went up to the temple every day to worship and praise. It is said that they frequently sang Psalm 126 during that journey. In particular, this psalm fully contains the passionate gratitude and joy of the Israelites who returned from Babylonian captivity, vividly expressing the joy of being saved. The confession, "When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with singing (vv. 1-2)," clearly reflects the unimaginable joy they felt at the moment of their liberation. Pastor David Jang points to this passage and emphasizes that "we, too, must always remember that astonishing exhilaration we had when we were saved."
At that time, the Israelites had endured 70 years of captivity in Babylon. In that foreign land, they began to lose their identity as God's covenant people, along with their memories of worship in the Jerusalem temple and the freedom they once enjoyed. However, when God's saving work was fulfilled at the appointed time, they experienced a kind of euphoria that felt like a dream. This psalm is the confession of faith and praise that emerged immediately after their liberation. The confession, "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy (v. 3)," indicates how fervently they praised and thanked God for rescuing them from Babylonian exile.
In explaining Psalm 126, Pastor David Jang delves deeply into the essential nature of the praise that arises from God's great work of salvation in history. That essence is gratitude and joy stemming from the fact that "God has delivered us." The "dreamlike" joy that Israel sang about applies to all believers throughout every generation who have been liberated from the captivity of sin and death. Just as Old Testament Israel was freed from geographical and political bondage, New Testament believers experience the reality of "forgiveness of sins and spiritual salvation." Through the cross of Jesus Christ, those who have received forgiveness of sins can, like the Israelites released from captivity, lift up praises and thanksgiving to God.
Indeed, Isaiah 40 also prophesies, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. ... Her hard service has been completed, and her sin has been paid for (Isa. 40:1-2)." This prophecy contains God's promise that, when the 70 years of Babylonian captivity were completed, He would grant them liberation at the appointed time. And that prophecy was perfectly fulfilled when the people who had been exiled in Babylon returned to Jerusalem. With this, the Israelites were able to confess, "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
Pastor David Jang emphasizes how this Old Testament historical event connects to New Testament teachings on salvation, explaining that we can interpret the early church in Acts 2 in the same context. As we see in Acts 2:47, "praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved," the early church was filled with the "joy of salvation." Those who repented and were baptized praised God daily and became a joyful worship community. This joy of salvation naturally led to praise, and that praise generated a dynamic "life-force" shared within the community.
In verse 4, "Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev," the "streams in the south" refer to the desert region of the Negev in southern Israel. During the dry season, this area is literally barren and nothing grows there. But when the rainy season arrives, water flows through it, turning into streams and causing flowers to bloom. The psalmist compares God's salvation to the streams that flow into the desert of the Negev. In other words, just as the barren land is revived by water and bursts into bloom, when God's salvation arrives, the life of His people is completely transformed. This poetic image is not limited to the Israelites returning from Babylon; it can also be applied to our individual lives. No matter how dry and difficult life may be, once God's salvation arrives, amazing changes begin, just as a desert revives when it receives water.
Pastor David Jang notes that this principle applies equally to the church. Even if a church is in a state of stagnation, it can be revitalized and flourish through the revival and work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, he insists that the church must discern the times, yearn for revival, and then fan the flames of that revival so it may become the cornerstone of world missions. When a community is full of people who are overwhelmed by the joy of salvation, praise arises naturally, and that praise in turn leads to missions, charity, and service.
Indeed, the verses "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them (vv. 5-6)" prompt many believers to reflect on the significance of "sowing seeds." Here, both the "tears" and "joy" experienced by the Israelites are emphasized. After returning from exile, clearing the land and sowing seeds was far from easy. They had to restore the devastated land and desperately await rain and sunshine-arduous work marked by tears. Yet God promises that to those who earnestly sow seed in tears, He will assuredly grant a harvest of joy. This was a real historical event for the Israelites and remains a certain promise for us today.
Pastor David Jang applies this teaching to diverse areas of life. He argues that this principle of "sowing seeds" is essential in one's personal spiritual life, family, society, church community, and ultimately on the global mission field. Just as a farmer sows seeds in a field, a believer must sow the seeds of the Word of truth, love, and grace, and share generously in the realms of evangelism and mission. Though the process may be painful and challenging, we must press on, firmly holding onto the biblical promise that we will "reap with songs of joy."
Through Psalm 126, we clearly see the release from captivity, the joy of salvation that results, and the importance of sustaining that joy through praise. This praise of salvation is not just a one-time emotional outburst; rather, it is the continuous proclamation and confession that the community must sing daily. Just as the early church "praised God" and eagerly gathered together, the church today must also hold the gospel of salvation in our hearts and praise God-and that praise must naturally flow into missionary zeal, according to Pastor David Jang.
This praise contains our "confession of faith," and particularly testifies to the love of God who liberates humanity from the bondage of sin. Moreover, the "liberation like streams in the Negev," as described by the psalmist, demonstrates that no matter how desolate one's life may be, it can be entirely transformed by the grace of God. This is the foundation and strength for those who have received salvation. Just as Moses led the trembling Israelites in praise before the Red Sea, believers, liberated from sin, likewise find renewed strength-like a dry land receiving streams of water-and are moved to praise.
Just as the Israelites who returned from Babylonian exile experienced, we too undergo various forms of "captivity" in our present day. Our lives may become entangled with problems, weighed down by illness or financial difficulties. Yet if we have been set free from sin through the gospel of salvation, that sense of liberation pours over us with a "dreamlike" joy. And when that joy overflows, praises naturally flow from our lips. This is the modern application of the psalmist's expression, "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy."
Ultimately, the first main lesson we must learn from Psalm 126 is the essence of the "joy and praise" that arise from God's great salvation. Pastor David Jang refers to this as "the natural fruit given to the one who has been saved." In other words, when a believer who has experienced the forgiveness of sins stands before God, it is only natural that an "overflowing joy by grace alone" pours out in praise. Moreover, this praise becomes the source of unshakable hope even in the midst of hardship. For those enduring a long period of pain and stagnation-like the Israelites in Babylonian captivity-this sense of rapture, when God finally extends His hand of salvation, is exactly the emotion the psalmist conveys.
II. The Missional Calling of Those Who Sow in Tears
The words in Psalm 126:5-6, "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy... Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them," aptly illustrate the nature of modern church missions and evangelism. Just as those returning from exile labored over the desolate land and sowed seeds, the church today must sow the "spiritual seed" in the world. Pastor David Jang interprets this passage as a clear expression of how missions demand dedication and sacrifice.
"Sowing in tears" is by no means romantic. In reality, a farmer who plows the field and sows seeds to prepare for the year's harvest does so with sweat, facing possible failures along the way. Hardship inevitably brings tears. However, Scripture assures that such labor and tears are not in vain and will certainly return "with sheaves of joy." Evangelism and missions are much the same: one must endure people's indifference, rejection, opposition, or even persecution. Yet the unchanging biblical principle remains: "Whoever does not sow cannot reap, and the seed that is sown will at some point bear fruit."
Connecting this to the parable of the sower in Matthew 13 and Paul's words, "How can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Rom. 10:14)," Pastor David Jang explains that those who sow the seed of the gospel cannot guarantee the outcome, but when God works, that seed will take root and bear fruit. Certainly, seeds sown on rocky ground, among thorns, or along the path will bear little or no fruit. But seed sown on good soil will yield a harvest of thirty, sixty, or a hundred times. Missions follow the same pattern. Many may reject the gospel, but eventually, there will be those with hearts like fertile soil who receive the Word, are born again, and themselves become evangelists who change the world.
Starting in the latter half of the 20th century, the missiological concept of "Missio Dei (the mission of God)" gained traction. This view contends that the church's purpose in missions is not merely "self-expansion," but rather participation in the saving work that God is already accomplishing in the world. Traditionally, mission was often approached from a church-centered perspective-"If you come to our church, you will be saved"-reflecting a somewhat institutional and hierarchical mindset. The new paradigm, however, shifted toward "God-centered mission." Just as our worldview changed from the Ptolemaic view (believing the Earth is the center of the universe) to the Copernican view (the Sun is the center), missions thinking has moved from a church-centered to a God-centered perspective.
Pastor David Jang asserts that this shift in missions perspective aligns with the spirit of "those who sow in tears" in Psalm 126:5-6. The church must not sow its seed solely for its own expansion; instead, it should sow humbly, recognizing that it is joining the salvific work God has already prepared. Only then will it reap a complete harvest. In an era that urgently needs global missions, one must guard against sowing with worldly motives such as profit, fame, or numerical growth. Rather, we must engage in missions with the mindset of "participating in God's redemptive plan." Though it may involve tears and sacrifices, God promises that we will indeed gather "sheaves of joy."
No longer can the modern church consider its mission fulfilled by simply protecting its institutional or regional boundaries. With globalization and information technology advances-particularly through the internet and satellite communication-the entire world can be considered under "one roof." Projects like Starlink make it possible to connect to the internet from nearly anywhere on earth, signaling a major turning point for the proclamation of the gospel, Pastor David Jang observes. Even nations with strict censorship and bans on the possession of Bibles might gain new channels to access the gospel via satellite communications.
So, how should the church respond to this vast technological progress? It must do so with the resolve of "those who sow in tears." Instead of using technology merely for secular profits or personal convenience, the church should harness it as a tool to bring the gospel to scattered souls around the world. The Bible describes money as "a root of all kinds of evil" and says one cannot serve both God and money (1 Tim. 6:10, Matt. 6:24). However, if a businessperson operates a company with a missional intent-aiming to expand God's kingdom-then wealth need not become an idol opposing God. Instead, it can become a critical resource for the church community and global missions.
It is in this sense that Pastor David Jang bifurcates the church's identity into the "gathering church" (internal worship and education) and the "scattering church" (externally oriented missions and evangelism). Traditional churches have often focused on "gathering," such as Sunday worship, but the church's essence is also found in "scattering," in reaching out to the world. After all, Jesus commanded, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15)" and "be my witnesses ... to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8)." If the "gathering church" is one pillar of church growth, the "scattering church" is the other pillar that shares the fruits of that growth with the world. Pastor David Jang describes this succinctly as "In and Out." While the church educates and nurtures believers internally, it must simultaneously be sent out into the world to testify about God's kingdom.
When both of these pillars function in tandem, the promise in Psalm 126-that those who sow in tears will reap with joy-becomes a reality. Moreover, one can describe the church as both the "avant-garde" and the "base camp" of missions. By analogy to mountain climbing, a base camp is the temporary station used to train, replenish supplies, and check the climbers' conditions before aiming for the summit. The church functions similarly. It must serve as a main base for bringing the gospel to the far ends of the earth, where believers receive both spiritual and practical training, gather strength, and then disperse.
Following the mid-20th century, the global church faced immense challenges-a world scarred by two World Wars, along with the rise of existentialism. People shifted their focus from grand narratives of "the world" or "history" to the individual existence of "me." However, Christian faith inherently pursues both personal and social salvation. While emphasizing the dignity of each soul created in God's image, it also highlights our responsibility toward society and the world. This aligns with key tenets of "secular theology," which stressed that God's concern extends not only to personal deliverance from sin but also to the redemption of the entire world and its history.
Pastor David Jang emphasizes that the core church mission lies precisely in this. The church cannot isolate itself from the world; it must go "beyond its walls" and practice the missional work of "sowing in tears." Therefore, the church must fundamentally perceive itself as a "sending organization." People often think of "mission organizations" as entities separate from the church, but in reality, the church itself is the most fundamental mission organization. When the church gathers together in meaningful worship and education, then disperses to engage the world, the gospel is proclaimed, and the values of God's kingdom are realized.
Moreover, to clarify its missional vision, Pastor David Jang notes that churches have established "OC (Olivet Center)" as a base camp for missions and discipleship training-places where spiritual renewal, education, and strategic planning happen together. Citing Psalm 133, "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity," he explains that when people of diverse backgrounds unite in prayer and training, God brings about new works in that place. And just as the widow in Zarephath used all she had to serve Elijah, so the church, when it offers up its resources for missions, will be filled all the more abundantly by God.
This resonates with Paul's proclamation, "How can they hear without someone preaching to them?" (Rom. 10:14). Someone must go, and someone must preach. The church cannot merely sit and wait for people to come. Only those who sow in tears will reap in joy. The contrast Paul draws in Galatians 5 between the "acts of the flesh" and the "fruit of the Spirit" also clarifies what we should sow and what we should harvest. The acts of the flesh manifest in immorality, impurity, idolatry, jealousy, discord, etc., while the fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control-beautiful traits. These are the seeds of the gospel that the church ought to sow.
Pastor David Jang specifically underscores that evangelism begins with "personal evangelism." When Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:39), the first people to love are those closest to us-our family, friends, and coworkers. One simple way to start is to ask, "Do you attend church?" Though it may feel awkward, this tiny step can lead to remarkable outcomes. Sometimes, people may respond negatively, but like a farmer who does not sow seeds only in one spot but tries different soils, so we must share the gospel seed with many different people.
Among those who say they already go to church, some may not truly understand the gospel or may lack the experience of the Holy Spirit. Many remain nominal Christians on the surface while still embracing worldly values underneath. Thus, the church must guide them to "a deeper gospel, and the path of becoming a Christian in one's inner self." We must help believers not only to receive salvation and the fullness of the Holy Spirit, but also to genuinely live free from sin and death. This aligns with the theological reality that "apart from the Holy Spirit, one cannot maintain a complete life of faith."
Revelation 3:20 says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock..." and anyone who opens the door will welcome the Lord in. When the Holy Spirit indwells a person, that individual becomes a new creation and lives a life devoted to the gospel. Pastor David Jang teaches that the "harvest of joy" mentioned in Psalm 126:5-6 finds its tangible fulfillment precisely in these "transformed souls." Not only are individuals born again, but they then pass on their missional calling to others, creating a virtuous cycle. In this way, a family, a community, or an entire society can be transformed.
It is particularly significant for a family to be evangelized. Pastor David Jang calls this a "Family Church," underscoring that the basic building block of the church is the household. When a family stands firmly in the gospel, the children are far more likely to fear God in their own lives, creating a sustainable momentum for missions. Just as a farmer carefully sows seeds over time before finally reaping an abundant crop, it often takes persistent prayer and tearful commitment for a family to yield fruit in the gospel. Yet ultimately, "those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." That promise will be fulfilled.
Pastor David Jang envisions practical mission strategies, saying, for example, "If churches are established in all 50 states of the U.S., and each of them helps to plant gospel centers in the world's poorest nations, it could lead to evangelizing a hundred or even a thousand countries." And when asked where resources come from, he refers back to the example of the widow of Zarephath. According to worldly logic, you can only give when you have plenty. But from a gospel perspective, "the greatest blessing comes from sacrificial giving when you have the least." When people gather to serve God with that spiritual principle, a "great missionary movement" can begin to take shape and expand.
In the end, missions are not just a "collective or organizational strategy," but rather a comprehensive ministry that arises from the combined small acts of personal and familial devotion. As we transition into an era where internet access is available almost everywhere, the church can no longer remain inside its building, insisting everyone come in. We must continually go out into the world, "sowing seeds in tears." And for those who do sow seeds, Psalm 126 gives a clear promise: "They will surely come back with joy, bringing their sheaves with them."
One of the core messages Pastor David Jang emphasizes from Psalm 126 is this: the "joy of salvation" must lead to "missional obedience," which always involves holy tears and sacrifice. But in the end, the result is not empty-handedness but an abundant spiritual harvest. In other words, the church has been entrusted with the "calling" of sowing seeds in tears, and God will never overlook that dedication.
Therefore, we must remember: expecting a harvest without sowing is mere wishful thinking. There is no easy path to evangelism or missions; suffering and hardship inevitably follow. Yet those who do sow seeds come to experience God's consolation and reward. "Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them" (Psalm 126:6) harmonizes with Christ's Great Commission: "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19). Hidden in that command is the weight of "sowing with tears."
Nevertheless, Scripture assures that the path does not end in despair or discouragement. Rather, there will be an extraordinary "chain reaction of life" wherein those who have received life go on to share the gospel seed, and those recipients in turn become transmitters of the good news. As in the early church, once the gospel flame is ignited, it spreads to the surrounding community, resulting in new churches and new mission fields. This is the concrete realization of "bringing in the sheaves with joy," Pastor David Jang proclaims.
Through Psalm 126, we see two major themes clearly. First, the immeasurable joy experienced by the Israelites freed from captivity, which overflows into praise, and second, how those who have tasted this joy of salvation must then go into the world "sowing in tears"-a missional calling. These two dimensions are inseparable. When the joy of salvation culminates in authentic praise, that praise, in turn, sparks missionary passion, and this passion spurs the church to share the gospel with more souls.
Pastor David Jang explains that Psalm 126 is a superb text showing both the "joy of salvation" and "commitment to missions" in an integrated way. One key point we must remember when reading this psalm is that the Israelites' return from Babylonian captivity did not happen because of their own strength or wisdom. It was accomplished by God's providence in His appointed time. Likewise, the modern church's ability to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth and proclaim deliverance to those in bondage is due solely to God's grace and guidance. Those who have received His grace must respond with heartfelt praise and willingly step into the place of "sowing seeds with tears." And after such dedication, a time will come when they will surely "return with songs of joy, bearing their sheaves."
Thus, if we apply this message to our lives today, each believer, both individually and collectively, must hold a missional vision and sow seeds. Whether it be personal evangelism, international missions, local service, or the evangelization of one's own family, the form may vary, but the essence remains the same. Without the "tears of sowing," there can be no "harvest of joy." This principle cannot be replaced by economic or organizational methods-it is the spiritual law taught by Scripture. And the church that clings to this principle is the one that truly obeys Jesus' command to "preach the gospel to the ends of the earth."
The psalmist in Psalm 126 confesses they "were like those who dream" because God's redemptive work surpasses all human imagination. We, likewise, cannot contain our excitement when we experience the marvelous work of salvation. This excitement naturally translates into "praise toward God and a commitment to missions." Following this entire journey, as Pastor David Jang emphasizes, the church gathers for nourishment and training, then disperses to extend the work of God's redemption more broadly. We yearn for His grace to be poured out day by day in every church, family, and individual life.
"Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev" remains a valid prayer for us even today. If there are those still trapped by various "captivities" in life, they too should seek God's deliverance, and, after receiving it, move forward in praise and missional dedication. The path is not simple, yet the history depicted in Psalm 126 is unmistakable: those who sow in tears will, in due season, certainly reap in joy. This is the blessing promised to every believer who embraces both "the exhilaration of salvation" and "the calling to missions," and it is the path the church on this earth must tread. It is precisely at that moment that the church truly becomes the salt and light of the world.
By proclaiming this message, Pastor David Jang reminds us once more that the church is clearly a "missional community" established to carry out God's saving work. Just as Israel lifted up Psalm 126 in praise after their release from Babylonian captivity, we today must also recover our praise and joy, having been freed from sin and death. And as the ultimate fruit of that joy, we must faithfully carry out our missional task to sow seeds of the gospel in the world. Those who sow in tears will eventually reap a harvest of joy, and it is precisely there-in that shared endeavor-that both church and believer find their essential calling.
