PSALTERIVM

PSALMVS CXXV — IN CONVERTENDO

When the Lord Turned Again the Captivity

In convertendo Dominus captivitatem Sion is a joyful psalm of return from exile, with the famous phrase 'They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.' The imagery of dream-like joy and tear-sown harvests has consoled countless sufferers. The Fathers apply the return from Babylon to the soul's liberation from sin.

LATINE
In convertendo Dominus captivitatem Sion: facti sumus sicut consolati.
Tunc repletum est gaudio os nostrum: et lingua nostra exsultatione.
Tunc dicent inter gentes: Magnificavit Dominus facere cum eis.
Magnificavit Dominus facere nobiscum: facti sumus laetantes.
Converte, Domine, captivitatem nostram, sicut torrens in Austro.
Qui seminant in lacrimis, in exsultatione metent.
Euntes ibant et flebant, mittentes semina sua.
Venientes autem venient cum exsultatione, portantes manipulos suos.
ENGLISH
When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted.
Then was our mouth filled with gladness; and our tongue with joy.
Then shall they say among the Gentiles: The Lord hath done great things for them.
The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful.
Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Going they went and wept, casting their seeds.
But coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.
NOTA
FONS
Douay-Rheims (1609) / Vulgata
USUS
Return from exile, Suffering and joy
CONTEXT
Psalm 126 in Hebrew numbering. Seventh Song of Ascents. The image of sowing in tears and reaping in joy is central to Christian spirituality of suffering.