The book of Psalms expresses the deep emotions that servants of God have. There is something about poetry and singing which touch the souls of His people. Each of the psalms is different and has a special place in the various stages of our lives as we serve our Creator. Psalm 126 gives us great insight into the emotions each of us has as we seek to lead others to the Lord. It is truly the Psalm of the Soul Winner.
Being a soul winner begins with an abiding sense of how lost we were before we became a child of God. The imagery of this psalm is of the return of the Jews from captivity. Every soul winner, while not in physical captivity, was held captive to Satan. The psalmist said, “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream” (verse 1). It was as though the Jews had been in the wilderness south of Canaan which often flourished when there were streams of water (v. 4). Every child of God was once a child of Satan, but He is brought back from captivity.
Being a soul winner results in a change of attitude toward worshiping God. The psalm continues with these words, “Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with singing” (v. 2). We have been freed from the bondage of sin and our tears have been turned into laughter and our grief into singing. Great soul winners never forget what God has done for them and for those they have taught.
Being a soul winner is known by those people who are around them. The glorious return of the Jews from captivity resulted in the nations around them saying, “The Lord has done great things for them” (v. 2). The light of the redeemed shines brightly in the darkness of the world around them. God has changed their lives and the redeemed also say, “The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad” (v. 3).
Being a soul winner creates an optimistic expectation that others will be won. “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” (v. 5). As you read this verse take special note of the tears shed by those who are sowing the seed of the kingdom. Most people we teach will not turn to the Lord and we are more concerned about their salvation than they are. Yet the promise of God is that we will be filled with joy. There is no joy greater than that of leading another to the Lord.
Read the last verse slowly and hear God’s message to you. “He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (v. 6). We sow. We sow continually. We sow with tears. Yet we sow knowing that without doubt there will be the joy of the harvest as sheaves are brought in. Want to be a better soul winner? Read and meditate on this psalm!