Wrong Word

(Psa 126:1 KJV)  A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

(Proverbs 15 also read)

There are times when the KJV just does not communicate.  This is one of them.  Compare this to the statement in the NASB,

(Psa 126:1 NAS77) A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream.

The phrase “brought back” (7725) or “turned again” is a very common Hebrew word, 1339 times, and is translated “again” most frequently with an English verb that is supplied often by context.

Make it a habit to compare translations.  Also note that a simple reading of this tells us it was written after the return from captivity.  The nonsense of theology comes from commentators who have a theological system that demand this to refer to the end times.  Beware of such nonsense.

So?  Read and compare.  Become your own Bible commentator based on what the Bible says rather than what the guru on the internet tells you. 

Dating

(Psa 126:1 KJV)  A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

(Proverbs 6 also read)

Let me throw in a word about interpreting scripture based on when it was written.  I think there are still a lot of people who default to David as the author of the Psalms.  Sometimes that is obvious because the Bible says in verse 1 that it was written by David.  Other times it should be obvious that David did not write it because another author is listed in the text.  Here there is no author given, but we know that David is not the one.

How can we say that?  If you don’t see it, read it again.  Notice that it’s talking about the captivity.  What captivity is that?  Did David ever experience any captivity?  Not that I know of.  It seems obvious to me that this is talking about hundreds of years after David when Israel was returned from captivity in Babylon or whatever group was in power then.

So? Don’t forget to remind yourself to keep thinking as you read.  Don’t always make assumptions.  Sometimes it might be necessary, but other times it’s more important to keep our minds engaged.  It’s hard to have a conversation with God when we are not really listening.