Psalms 126 · For teachers and parents

Answer Key: Sow in Tears, Reap in Joy

Answers here are a guide. Welcome any answer that shows a child is thinking about the story, and celebrate their effort. Talk About It questions are open, so they have no set answers.

PreschoolGreat Things

peoplesunheart

Coloring and finding page: any careful coloring is a win. Help your child point to and name each picture above.

KindergartenJoy

LAUGH → picture 4SING → picture 3SEED → picture 2JOY → picture 1

Grade 1Great Things

We were like those who dream. → picture 3Our mouth was filled with laughter. → picture 5Yahweh has done great things for us. → picture 2Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. → picture 4He will come again with joy, carrying his sheaves. → picture 1

Order:

1. Then our mouth was filled with laughter2. Yahweh has done great things for us3. Restore our fortunes again, Yahweh4. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy

Grade 2Laughing and Singing

Where did God bring his people back to? Zion (circle)
What did it feel like? A dream (circle)
What did the people do? They laughed and sang. (circle)
What did the nations say? Yahweh has done great things for them.
What happens to people who plant while crying? They harvest with joy. (circle)

Grade 3Tears Turned to Joy

What were the people like when God brought them back? Like those who dream
What filled their mouths? Laughter
What did they pray? Restore our fortunes again, Yahweh.
Who will reap in joy? Those who sow in tears
What will the farmer carry when he comes back? His sheaves

1: Then our mouth was filled with laughter2: Yahweh has done great things for us3: Restore our fortunes again, Yahweh4: He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy

Grade 4Like Those Who Dream

What made the people feel like they were dreaming? Yahweh brought back those who returned to Zion.
How did the people's joy become a witness? Other nations said Yahweh had done great things for them.
What are the streams in the Negev like? Dry streambeds that fill suddenly with rain
What does the farming picture teach? God can turn sorrow into a harvest of joy.

Word bank: 1. Zion; 2. laughter; 3. great; 4. joy; 5. God

Think About It: answers will vary. Look for answers that connect to the passage.

Grade 5Joy Remembered, Joy Hoped For

What are the two halves of the psalm? Remembering a past restoration and asking God to do it again
Why did the nations notice? The people's joy in God was visible.
What does the Negev picture? Sudden renewal, like dry channels flooding overnight
What New Testament promise connects to this psalm? Jesus says sorrow will be turned into joy (John 16:20).

Think About It: answers will vary. Look for answers that connect to the passage.