Psalm 127

Observe:
Psalm 127 lies in the heart of the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120–134).  It is believed to have been written by Solomon.  The psalm deals with two areas that often compete with our time and energy – our work and our family.

Interpretation and Application:
Verses 1 and 2 deal with the concept of God at work in our public lives.  Whether we are building our homes, guarding our community or just going to work, we are reminded 3 times that our efforts are in vain unless the Lord is in charge.  We are not prohibited from work (indeed, God told Adam that he would have to toil all his days), but rather we should not put our trust in our own efforts “for while they sleep, He provides for those He loves.” (verse 2)  We are to put our hope in God alone.  Verses 3 – 5 deal with the concept of God in our homes.  Verse 3 tells us that children are a gift from the Lord as well as being a reward.  I know that as a parent there have been days when I have seen my children as anything but a reward from God!  In many ways children are “like arrows in the hands of a warrior.” (verse 4)  Arrows must be carefully shaped.  They must be guided with skill, aimed and directed and given great care or they won’t fly straight.  So it is with our children.  I remember once when our oldest daughter came home and was contemplating going out with a young man who was not a believer.  We were very direct with her and warned her against doing so.  She was angry with us and went to bed while we stayed in our room and prayed.  The next morning she told us that she decided that she would tell him that she couldn’t go out with him.  He was very disappointed and couldn’t really understand her reasons why, but she stuck to her guns.  We were very thankful that the lessons we tried to teach her when she was young took root and she stayed true to the Lord.  By the way, she and her husband are still good friends with that young man and his wife. Verse 5 states that children are a blessing, especially if one is able to have many. However, “a quiver may be small and yet full; and then the blessing is obtained. In any case we may be sure that a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of children that he possesseth.” (Spurgeon) The psalm ends with encouragement for the godly parent because those children will now be an assurance for security in old age.  ”They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:5)”

So what is the connection between these two sections? The children are a defense for the parents in old age, but the Lord provides the children. The watchman stays awake, but the Lord watches over the city. God is in control! (Tobin Davis)

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to put you in charge of everything…our homes, our work, our community and our children so that we receive the blessings you have in store for us.  Amen.

Song: Unless it is the Lord – Marty Goetz

Psalm 126

Observe:
                Psalm 126 is a Psalm of Ascent, most likely written by Ezra or a prophet or psalmist in his immediate proximity. It is generally read as a Psalm of praise and thanksgiving for those who have been released from their Babylonian captivity, and a prayer of encouragement for those who have yet to make their way home. It is broken down into two parts of three verses each.

                Verses 1-3 reads “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.: The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”         
      
                Verses 3-6 read “Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out in weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves in with him.”

Interpret:
                I love the way this Psalm starts, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” It paints an incredibly relatable picture of the collective mindset for those who were taken captive, living in a stupor and a daze, unable to cope fully with the reality of their home lost to invaders and no joyful prospects. The Lord had called them to weeping, to a deafening silence as their harps were hung upon the branches of the willow tree. He then mourns to them in turn and laments unto His people before finally reversing their exile and sending them on their way whereupon Israel’s voice breaks out in song and celebration.

Like waking suddenly from a nightmare, their misery was quickly swallowed up by songs of joy at the deliverance of the Lord! It is those who, by means of their captivity, repented, and turned again to their God. Repentance led to reformation and resulted in joy.

By these facts we observe 3 things:

• God's appearances for his people are to be looked upon as great things.
• God is to be eyed as the author of all the great things done for the church.
• It is good to observe how the church's deliverances are for us, that we may rejoice in them.

 
Yet not all was well even in the midst of God’s deliverance. There were many obstacles yet ahead and many distresses upon those who returned home to find their city in ruins. Larger still must have been the harsh realization that they must keep their repentance nearby so that this national trauma would not be repeated. Finally, two last verses that remind us all that even though troubles come and sorrow may abound, the Lord will remain with His people and “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!”

Application:
                If this Psalm is to serve us today as modern Christians, the most obvious way in which it can be applied is first as an acknowledgement of our constant need of Christ in a world that seeks to keep us captive to sin and the patterns of this age. We are still sinners, yet we are called not to submit again to the slavery of sin, but to Christ. We are called to not use our freedom as a cover-up for sin, and to make every effort to kill those sins which crop up in our hearts.

The Lord is in the business of breaking chains and setting His people free, so do not lose heart, and do not give up on repentance. Acknowledge that which is keeping you from His presence as sin; confess it to Him and resolve once more to crucify the flesh and keep in step with the Spirit. It is here that we find not only humbling and painful reminders of our own sinful tendencies, but the overflowing grace and love and joy of the Lord by which we ought to live.

It can be so hard to give these our cherished sins up to God, but if we only turn our joy into sorrow in response to our own wickedness, the Lord shall see that we “come home with shouts of joy.”

Prayer:
                Thank you, Lord, for your incredible grace and patience. Thank you for calling us to you and for loving us even when we were still sinners. Show us our sins for what they are, and show us your own holiness and goodness, that by tasting your goodness we might put to death those sins which cling so tightly. Amen! 

Song: I Will Wait For You (Shane & Shane)

Psalm 125

Observe  Those who trust in the Lord will not be moved, the first line of Psalm 125 assures us. The Lord is ever present and will not allow the wicked to govern His people. Those who choose their own way will find themselves in a place far from His love.

Interpret  The sixth Psalm of Ascents, this song encourages the pilgrims in their journey up Mt Zion, as immovable under their feet as they are under the Lord’s guidance.

Trusting in God is the extended theme. As the mountain fastnesses surround Jerusalem, protecting it, so God encircles and protects His faithful people. Evil cannot dwell there, because God has His hand on His holy place; without Him, His own people will too easily fall back into the sins of their forebears – it’s happened before.

The prayer in verse 4 asks for more than mere human prosperity, but for the riches of grace and good only God can supply. For those who stubbornly go their own way, and that refers to anyone in this pilgrim company, the Lord will let them continue, a most terrifying prospect (5a). For those who remain close to Him, blessings will go before and follow. Peace the world cannot give will be for Israel (5b), and for all His pilgrim people through the ages.

Apply  With the world roaring its anxiety, fear, desire, greed, idolatry etc etc at us, how do we remain unshaken as news of fresh disaster assaults us from all sides?

If we follow in the company of His saints, past and present, we have nothing to fear; by our intentional exercise of trust, God and His Word become more and more our strength, joy and shelter. But we are easily led away from His narrow, difficult path, and this Psalm reminds us to look at ourselves from God’s viewpoint – what do we see?

We know sin doesn’t pay. As we remain on His way, live out of His truth, the Spirit leads us into His life. We pay careful attention, discerning His voice through all that competing noise. But His still small voice, His Advocate Spirit, groans on our behalf and keeps us on the pilgrim way.

We pray for just leaders (3), in government, in the church, so that God’s righteous rule will be the norm.  It remains an ideal until Jesus comes again, but as we grow in trust, it’s unshakeable hope.

Ask  Will You keep me on Your path, Lord, distracted as I so easily am?  Will You keep that mirror clear and bright, so I see You reflected, encouraging, strengthening, and enlivening?

Pray  Lord, bless those who trust You, whether in seasons of hardship or pleasure. Today, I am like Mount Zion. I proclaim Your presence, sovereignty and peace, and the protection of Your people.  I declare that trusting in You brings bountiful blessings.  (Yohanna Katanacho, Praying through the Psalms. P.125)

Sing Psalm 125
Psalm 125 - Dr David Erb
Not Be Moved - James Block
A Meditation on Trust (sung in Hebrew) - Andi M.
Anatomy of the Soul - Unmoved Shall Endure