— Psalm 126 (Hebrew / English)
In convertendo Dominus captivitatem Sion
By GRAHAM JOHN
A psalm of restoration and hope, recalling a past reversal of fortune and affirming patient confidence that sorrow will yet yield fruit.
6 verses total
VERSUS 1–6 (LATIN + LITERAL ENGLISH + WORD NOTES)
1
In convertendo Dominus captivitatem Sion, facti sumus sicut consolati.
When the Lord restored the captivity of Zion, we were made like those comforted.
Word Notes:
- converto, convertere, converti, conversum — to turn, restore
- captivitas, captivitatis f. — captivity, exile
- fio, fieri, factus sum — to become
- consolor, consolari, consolatus sum — to comfort (deponent)
2
Tunc repletum est gaudio os nostrum, et lingua nostra exsultatione.
Then our mouth was filled with joy, and our tongue with exultation.
Word Notes:
- repleo, replere, replevi, repletum — to fill
- gaudium, gaudii n. — joy
- os, oris n. — mouth
- lingua, linguae f. — tongue
- exsultatio, exsultationis f. — rejoicing
3
Tunc dicent inter gentes: Magnificavit Dominus facere cum eis.
Then they said among the nations: The Lord has done great things with them.
Word Notes:
- dico, dicere, dixi, dictum — to say
- gens, gentis f. — nation
- magnifico, magnificare, magnificavi, magnificatum — to make great, exalt
- facio, facere, feci, factum — to do, make
4
Magnificavit Dominus facere nobiscum; facti sumus laetantes.
The Lord has done great things with us; we were made joyful.
Word Notes:
- laetor, laetari, laetatus sum — to rejoice (deponent)
5
Converte, Domine, captivitatem nostram, sicut torrens in austro.
Restore, O Lord, our captivity, like a torrent in the south.
Word Notes:
- converto, convertere, converti, conversum — to restore
- torrens, torrentis m. — torrent, flood
- auster, austri m. — south wind / the south (Negev)
6
Euntes ibant et flebant, mittentes semina sua; venientes autem venient cum exsultatione, portantes manipulos suos.
Those who went out went forth weeping, carrying their seed; but those who come shall come with rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.
Word Notes:
- eo, ire, ii, itum — to go
- fleo, flere, flevi, fletum — to weep
- mitto, mittere, misi, missum — to send, cast
- semen, seminis n. — seed
- venio, venire, veni, ventum — to come
- porto, portare, portavi, portatum — to carry
- manipulus, manipuli m. — sheaf
MORPHOLOGY EXERCISES (6)
Identify tense, voice, mood, and principal parts:
- convertendo
- facti sumus
- repletum est
- dicent
- converte
- venient
MORPHOLOGY EXERCISES — KEY
- convertendo
- Verb: converto, convertere, converti, conversum
- Form: gerund / ablative of time
- Meaning: when restoring
- facti sumus
- Verb: fio, fieri, factus sum
- Tense: perfect
- Voice: passive (in form)
- Mood: indicative
- Meaning: we were made
- repletum est
- Verb: repleo, replere, replevi, repletum
- Tense: perfect
- Voice: passive
- Mood: indicative
- Meaning: was filled
- dicent
- Verb: dico, dicere, dixi, dictum
- Tense: future
- Voice: active
- Mood: indicative
- Meaning: they will say
- converte
- Verb: converto, convertere, converti, conversum
- Tense: present
- Voice: active
- Mood: imperative
- Meaning: restore
- venient
- Verb: venio, venire, veni, ventum
- Tense: future
- Voice: active
- Mood: indicative
- Meaning: they will come
TRANSLATION EXERCISES (6)
Translate into Latin:
- When the Lord restored Zion.
- Our mouth was filled with joy.
- The nations said great things.
- Restore our captivity, O Lord.
- Those who went out weeping.
- They will return with rejoicing.
TRANSLATION EXERCISES — KEY
- In convertendo Dominus Sion.
- Os nostrum gaudio repletum est.
- Dixerunt gentes magna.
- Converte, Domine, captivitatem nostram.
- Euntes flebant.
- Cum exsultatione venient.
SUMMARY (≈100 words)
Psalm 125 holds together memory and hope. Past restoration is recalled not as triumphalism but as astonished relief — joy arrives almost as disbelief. Yet the psalm does not rest there; it turns swiftly into prayer, acknowledging that restoration is incomplete and reversible. The image of the southern torrent captures sudden, life-giving change after long dryness. The final verse offers one of the Psalter’s most humane insights: meaningful renewal often requires sorrowful labour first. Seed is sown in tears; harvest arrives later. Faith here is neither denial nor impatience, but trust disciplined by time.
REFLECTION QUESTION
Where in your own experience have hope and effort been separated by a long interval — and what sustained you in the meantime?