Psalm - Psalm 122-124
October 25, 2009 by: shalom
Today’s 3 psalms are the songs of ascents penned by David. These psalms were sung by the people of Israel when they went up to the Temple in Jerusalem for the 3 solemn feasts. There are only 21 verses in total within these 3 psalms, but they are filled with adoration to God and His house, the confidence in their plea to God, and their assurance that God is their strong Defense.
As we read today’s psalms, let us read with a heart of adoration and thanks to our Heavenly Father.
Bible Passage: Psalms 122 to 124
Are We Glad To Gather In The House Of God?
Every time when I read this psalm, I can always sense David’s enthusiasm in coming into the House of God, especially when others also show the same kind of spirit. My visual while reading this psalm is similar to the picture above, people filled with gladness and adorations while ascending eagerly towards the glorious Temple!
This psalm (122) describes the ideal condition of the spiritual Jerusalem, the Church of God, i.e. unity in the Truth (v. 3&4), with justice prevailing (v. 5), and filling with peace (v. 7). Is this the condition of our present church? I think we still have to work hard towards this goal with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Are we glad when it is time to come to church to worship God? Are we glad when our brethren call us to go to church together? When we are in the church, are our minds, souls, and our hearts with us within the church?
Our feet have been standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Psalms 122:2
This verse reminds us to be wholly involved in praising and worshiping God when we come into His House, let not any part of us remain outside to wander about in the world.
God, Our Mighty Tower And Defence
There is a Chinese saying that goes, 山高皇帝远，literally translates as “The mountains are high, the Emperor is far away”. If I’m not wrong, this saying was usually used by the poor peasants in olden China who when they had difficulties in their daily lives, they had no one to turn to for help, because the routes to the city were often hindered by the high mountains, and to them, seeking help from the Emperor who lived far away in the palace was not an option at all.
Our God is indeed in heaven, but that does not mean He is unreachable, but He is always near us, and He is always there for us.
For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD
our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?
Deut. 4:7
The privileges every Christian has from God are indeed very great, especially when God is on our side. This is also being expressed in the 23rd Psalm by David that the Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall not be in want.
The descriptions in Psalm 124 about the dire situations where the children of God have to go through are quite scary. i.e. “swallow us alive”, “prey to their teeth”, “water overwhelming our soul”, and “snare of the fowlers”.
But we are being reminded again in v8, Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who make the heavens and earth. In the epistle to the Romans, Paul exhorted the believers that God showers His love and grace abundantly upon His elects, for we all belong to Him, and He is on our side.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Rom. 8:31
No matter how ferocious our enemies maybe, as long as we abide in God and have faith in Him, for He is in control of all things, and He shall deal with all our fears in His ways.
The following is a song I want to share with all of you, “He Knows My Name”. God knows us right from the very moment we were born; He is seeing us through until now, and He will continue to be by our side or even carry us when we are about to fall.
Give thanks to God while we ponder through what we have read today in these 3 psalms, know that God is always by our side, and enjoy the song.
October 25th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Yesterday, Pr Chin AQ spoke about “Worshipping God Requires A ‘Heart of God’”. The sermon struck a deep chord within me. And when I read today’s passage, it reminds me once again to consider my worship of God. Have I been true? Have I been faithful? Do I come to Church with a heart of love? Do I come joyfully, with a song on my lips and a dance in my steps?
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
Psalm 122:1
This verse is a verse that a lot of us know since we were young kids in RE. But how many of us truly feel this way when we come to church?
Sometimes I hear some members say that they do not feel like coming to church for service. When asked why, they could not quite explain it except to say that they just feel ’sian’. I must admit that there are times I feel like that as well and I will find to slightest excuse to justify why it is ok for me not to attend service that day.
I am leaving SIngapore in a few hours and will be away for more than 10 days. Thank God that this time it is a shorter trip and there is only 1 weekend away.
Imagine if you are in a foreign land with no church to go to… no church brethren around to greet you with a “Hallelujah”, no congregational hymn singing to join in, no prayers made in one accord….
You will understand why I suffer from pre-trip depression
It is a wonderful thing to be able to go to the house of the Lord. And we do not realise how blessed it is to be able to go to church not once, not twice but as often as possible in a week.
Even if it takes you an hour of travel, I would feel that it is very much worth it compared to the joy that you find in the Lord when you meet Him in His sanctuary.
Let us seek to have that joy that comes from within when we go to the house of the Lord. Let us encourage one another while it is still today. Let us ascent to God’s church together as one family.
I will miss all of you…. pray for me.
As I walked aimlessly around the house waiting for the time to leave for the airport, I went up to the piano to play something. And somehow this hymn came to mind and I have actually never ever played it before. But as I played it, it brought some comfort, peace and joy to me. I hope it does for you today as well.
“Shall We Gather At The River?”
October 26th, 2009 at 1:43 am
i always enjoy the songs in this bible blog with a sense of shame.
i must say that the songs are most enjoyable especially with the lyrics being considerately attached. The problem is my heart. 我有 对神献上我的心吗?At least as much as them?
i m in the true church. i have the abidance of God. But when i examine myself , i do not worship with as much devotions as reflected on the faces i see in the clips or in the voices singing the praises of Lord Jesus.
If the Israelites of OT/NT had fallen short of the glory of God, i m even more guilty.
Yes, i m glad when they say to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
Yes, i m still learning to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Yes, i m still learning “ask not what the church can do for me, ask what i can do for the house of Lord Jesus, my Lord and my God”.
At my naive spirituality now, one thing i m sure is: i m back home in the house of God, may Lord Jesus help me never ever to go out again.
And the house of God is also the temple of God.