Book of Psalms - Chapter 126 - Verse 4

Psalm 126:4 is a plea to God to restore the fortunes of the people of Israel. The phrase "Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south" is a metaphorical way of asking God to bring the same sudden and abundant blessing to the people of Israel as when the dry riverbeds in the Negev desert (south of Israel) fill with water during the rainy season. The comparison highlights the contrast between the barrenness of captivity and the abundance of freedom. Just as the streams in the south bring life and sustenance to the parched land, the psalmist is asking for a renewal of life and blessings for the people of Israel. This verse serves as a reminder of God's power to bring about restoration and renewal in the lives of His people, even in the midst of despair and captivity.

In this verse, the psalmist is crying out to the Lord to restore the fortunes of His people, comparing this restoration to the flowing streams in the south. The imagery of streams in the south is significant because in the arid region of Palestine, the south was often seen as a barren and desolate place lacking in water. Therefore, the psalmist is invoking a powerful image of God's ability to bring restoration and abundance to a seemingly hopeless situation. The Hebrew word for "streams" used here is "negev," which can also refer to a dry and parched land, highlighting the contrast between desolation and abundance that God is capable of bringing about.