Psalm 126:4-6  An interesting word picture is used here.  Sowing with tears, walking to and fro weeping as seed is planted, and then reaping the harvest with joyful shouting, bringing in the harvest sheaves.  What does this have to do with the beginning of this psalm that celebrates the return from captivity?  Jeremiah 31 expands this picture from a thumbnail sketch to a broad panorama.  The people of God had gone into captivity due to their own sins and rebellion against God.  But, He promised to restore them, to once again be their God. To call them His people. " I have loved you with an everlasting love." He tells them, and "I will rebuild you." v9 -"With weeping they shall come."  Tears of regret and sorrow will turn into tears of joy and gladness.  He will save His people.  He will lead His people.  He is their Father, their Shepherd, their Redeemer. "For I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and give them joy for their sorrow." ( v13).  
 It is our God, The Lord Who is our Shepherd, that restores us, Who leads us to the green pastures and still waters. The psalmist reminded Israel that there was hope in God, always.  Though the labor is not always easy. Though there are tears to be shed.  He will give them a harvest. He will provide for their needs. Robert J. Morgan in the book The Lord is my Shepherd writes that the phrase " He  makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters" talks about perfect contentment in the provisions of the shepherd.  A sheep lays down only when full and satisfied, nourished by the green pasture. Roaring water make a sheep panic, but still waters are a source of life. Our nourishment is the Word of God, Morgan says.  The Holy Spirit is the water,the river of life.
God perfectly provides for His sheep. He meets our needs, gives us His peace, feeds our souls, pours out His Spirit. Blessed Redeemer! Mighty God!  Praise and Thanksgiving we give to You!
I exalt You!  I will bless Your Name forever and ever. Great is The Lord and highly to be praised.

Hebrews 4 Entering His rest. ( Green pastures and still waters?)
  The Israelites were not allowed to enter into the promised land, into God's rest, because of their disobedience.  They did not have faith.  To hear the good news and fail to believe, to be unpersuadeable, obstinate, rebellious, unbelieving... is to remain outside of His Rest. We are called to "be diligent to enter that rest" to "fear lest, while a promise remains of entering his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it." ( v1)
How can we be sure?  V 12 "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword.... able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Nothing is hidden from His sight we are told, "all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."  In our absolute poverty and need we have only One way to enter God's rest and that is through our Great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God.  Hold fast to Him.  Our confession/profession/acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, that He sympathizes with our weaknesses, He intercedes for us as our high priest, and He brings us to the "throne of grace that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need."  Here we find rest!  Oh thank You Jesus!  You are my only Hope! You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  I come to the Father through You.  Thank You for being the Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for His sheep.  I come to You, into Your Rest. Into Your green pastures, beside Your still waters. Amen.