Tag: Psalms 120-127
Jerusalem–city of God
Scripture reading for June 28th: Psalms 120-127
Today’s reading is a set of psalms that were known as the “songs of ascent”. These were songs sung by pilgrims as they traveled on their three required yearly visits to the temple for the celebrations of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The pilgrims came up the road from Jericho to Jerusalem and experienced an elevation change from 1200 feet below sea level in Jericho area to over 2600 feet above sea level in Jerusalem. The climb was difficult for several reasons. It was a dry area with little water and the terrain was rough. It was also an area known to be inhabited by robbers and marauders who would prey on the pilgrims.
The first psalm in this series begins with the pilgrim in distress. He is living among those who hate peace. They are deceitful people and have lying tongues. He is far from God’s house and God’s people and realizes his need to call on the Lord as he begins his journey to the city of God. This journey may be what you need today, take time to call on the Lord and decide to move towards Him!
Psalm 121 is a favorite psalm of many. I memorized it as a child in Sunday School. As the psalmist begins the journey upward to Jerusalem, his eyes see the hills and he realizes that this journey is impossible in his own strength! The climb is difficult and there are many dangers. He confesses that his help comes from the Lord, who is Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2) No matter what obstacle, hazard or mountain of difficulty, God is with us!
The central goal of the journey is Jerusalem, the city of God! It’s a city closely compacted, a tight-knit community centered around the temple and worship of the Lord! The tribes go up to praise the Lord according to His statutes! (Psalm 122:4) Jerusalem is the city of ‘peace’ and all are encouraged to pray for the peace of the city. In a world where war, hatred, lying and deceitful tongues form the social context of where we live, peace is the norm in God’s city. Take time today to pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Scripture reading for June 28th: Psalms 120-127
Today’s reading begins a set of 15 psalms that were known as the “Songs of Ascent”. These were songs sung by pilgrims as they traveled on their three required yearly visits to the temple for the celebrations of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The pilgrims usually came up the road from Jericho to Jerusalem; an elevation change from 1200 feet below sea level in Jericho to over 2400 feet above sea level in Jerusalem. Additionally, it was a dry area with little water and rough terrain. It was also an area known to be inhabited by robbers and marauders who would prey on the pilgrims.
The first psalm in this series began with the pilgrim in a place of distress. He was living among those who hated peace. Around him were deceitful people with lying tongues. He was far from God’s house and realized his need to call on the Lord for help on the journey. If this is where you are today, take time to call on the Lord and decide to move towards Him!
When I was a child in Sunday School, I memorized Psalm 121. As the psalmist began the journey to Jerusalem from Jericho, his eyes saw the hills and he realized that this journey was impossible in his own strength! He confessed that his help came from the Lord, who was Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2) The Lord would keep him safe and watch over him day and night. In fact, God will keep him from all harm, not only now but forever! No matter what obstacle or mountain of difficulty you face, remember that God is with you!
The central goal of the journey was Jerusalem, the city of God! Psalm 122 was a song that reminded the traveler of the joy that awaited him there in God’s presence. It was a city closely compacted, a tight-knit community centered around the temple and worship of the Lord! Jerusalem was a city of peace and all pilgrims were encouraged to pray for the peace of the city. In a world where war, hatred, lying and deceitful tongues form the social context of where we live every day, prayer for the peace of Jerusalem prepares our hearts to meet with God. Take time today to pray for the peace of Jerusalem to fill your life on your faith journey!
The Peace of Jerusalem!
Scripture reading for June 29th: Psalms 120-127
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the House of the Lord.” Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel.” (Psalm 122:1-4)
Psalm 120-134 form a series of writings called the “Song of Ascents”. These psalms were sung or chanted by the Israelites as they made their way from their homes to Jerusalem for the annual feasts at the temple of the Lord. Many of these pilgrims had to travel from the north and others from the south climbing from Jericho through the winding road that climbs nearly 3000 feet in about 20 miles. There were dangers of robbers and wild animals. They left their homes behind and joined others climbing to worship their Lord and God.
The psalmist was glad to go to the “House of the Lord”. God’s presence was and is something to treasure. It is as if the psalmist could envision his feet standing inside the walls of the city and feel the joy and security of being in God’s presence with God’s people. Although God had commanded them to gather there to meet with Him, this was a willing journey done in faith with joyful anticipation. All the tribes of God’s family would join in unity there, packed into the walls of Jerusalem for worship, sacrifice and joyful festival!
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.” (Psalm 122:6-9)
Prayer is the great privilege of God’s people. The psalmist knows that only through prayer can all these tribes and individuals be unified and remain at peace with one another. Brothers and friends sometimes fight and have issues. Conflicts still break out among the family of God. Peace must be prayed for and sought after for others’ sake and for the sake of God’s house! Would you take time today and obey this ancient psalm on your journey to the “House of the Lord”?
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Scripture reading for June 29th: Psalms 120-127
Today’s reading is a set of psalms that were known as the “songs of ascent”. These were songs sung by pilgrims as they traveled on their three required yearly visits to the temple for the celebrations of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The pilgrims usually came up the road from Jericho to Jerusalem and experienced an elevation change from 1200 feet below sea level in the Dead Sea and Jericho area to over 2600 feet above sea level in Jerusalem. The climb was difficult for several reasons. It was a dry area with little water and the terrain was rough. It was also an area known to be inhabited by robbers and marauders who would prey on the pilgrims.
The first psalm in this series begins with the pilgrim in a place where he is in distress. He is in a place where he is living among those who hate peace. They are deceitful people and have lying tongues. The lying tongue hates those it hurts! He is far from God’s house and God’s people and realizes his need to call on the Lord and begins his journey to the city of God. This journey may be what you need today, take time to call on the Lord and decide to move towards Him!
Psalm 121 is a favorite psalm of many. I memorized it as a child in Sunday School. As the psalmist begins the journey upward to Jerusalem, his eyes see the hills and he realizes that this journey is impossible in his own strength! The climb is difficult and there are many dangers. He confesses that his help comes from the Lord, who is Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2) The Lord will keep him safe and watch over him. God will keep him safe during the hot sun of the daytime and the treachery of the darkness! In fact, God will keep him from all and any harm, not only now but forever! What an encouragement for us today! No matter what obstacle or hazard or mountain of difficulty, God is with us to help us!
The central goal of the journey is Jerusalem, the city of God and God’s covenant community! Psalm 122 is a song that reminds the traveler of the joy that awaits him and his fellow-pilgrims when they arrive. They long to stand in the gates of that city and can actually see themselves there. It’s a city closely compacted, a tight-knit community centered around the temple and worship of the Lord, this Maker of Heaven and Earth! The tribes go up to praise the Lord according to His statutes! (Psalm 122:4) Jerusalem is the city of ‘peace’ and all are encouraged to pray for the peace of the city. In a world where war, hatred, lying and deceitful tongues form the social context of where we live every day, peace is the norm in God’s city. It comes by prayer and consistent seeking. We must maintain that peace by centering on God Himself! Take time today to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and to seek it’s prosperity!