Ps. 131: Ascent of Humility

Psalm 131:3 "O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore."

Worrying about the future and what could potentially, possibly stress a person out is a lot of work, and it counts for nothing. David says he does not concern himself with such matters, as they are too wonderful for him.

Like a weaned child with its mother, David says. A child who has taken a step forward in maturity. Instead of demanding his next meal and not knowing if it will ever come because of the severe hunger pangs, David humbles himself to trust God with the unknown things, and implores the reader to do the same.

Ps. 130: Ascent of Redemption

Psalm 130:7 "O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption."

Sin puts people in an awful predicament. The LORD will not allow sin or the sinner to stand with him. It is a direct refusal to obey the statutes and precepts the LORD has set down for his people. But still his people disobey, and willfully.

Why then would God desire to redeem these reprobate jerks? Doesn't that speak to some kind of overarching love? Here comes forgiveness, a concept that could only be from God. In my world, "justice" rarely includes forgiveness, and God has established himself as eternally just.

So Israel is given instruction to wait on the LORD for hope and redemption.

Ps. 129: Ascent of Oppression

Psalm 129:4 "But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked."

Israel has been persecuted and under siege since its inception. The Psalmist recognizes here in the 129th Psalm that it is only God who can protect and really, truly free Israel from this pain. This is to say that Israel will not be able to do it herself.

It's a curse that those who wish to take shots at Israel and steal or rob it won't be able to come up with anything. It would profit them little.

I suppose is verse 8, it talks about fake people, who would just pass by and say, "Bless you," without really meaning it.

Ps. 128: Ascent of Blessing

Psalm 128:5 "May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,"

So, those who fear the LORD will be blessed in all their ways. And they will be blessed with children. This is if Jerusalem stays safe. I wonder if this comparison is a legitimate one. Protect Jerusalem, be blessed. As though God is the man, and Jerusalem is the woman. God protects Jerusalem and it prospers...hmm.

Children are like a peaceful Israel...

Ps. 127: Ascent for Children

Psalm 127:5 "Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."

There are a couple of great truths here in the 127th Psalm. I imagine David writing this Psalm while thinking of his son, Solomon.

I don't want to skip over verse one's idea that unless the LORD builds the house, the labor is in vain, and without God's protection, the watchmen are in vain. Good to know, and I hope that the LORD is building my "house." I suppose you can have all the money and the land and a gigantic fortress of a house, but unless God is watching over it, it can never be completely impregnable. It could fall easily without his guard.

I guess the latter half of the chapter could be construed as a command from God to have a lot of kids. I guess I don't see it that way. IF one has a lot of kids, its a blessing from God, not an overwhelming burden. At least, that should be the opinion. Maybe Israel was at the point where they needed a lot of manpower, and the more a man had, the more he could contribute to the defense and protection of Israel.

Ps. 126: Ascent for Restoration

Psalm 126:2 "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.'"

The 126th Psalm recounts the joy in the victory Israel felt when they defeated their enemies or fought off attacking nations with the help of the LORD. It was good times, good times. Now, they miss those good times, or want them restored. It is a great feeling to be on the winning side, and to be delivered by God, pulling the upset when the odds are completely in your enemy's favor.

Sowing in tears, reaping songs of joy means (to me) that in adversity, you still have to trust God that the outcome will be one of awesome joy.

Ps. 125: Ascent for Protection

Psalm 125:2 "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore."

I never saw Mount Zion, the natural barrier protecting Jerusalem, as an object lesson for the way God protects those he loves. But here it is in the 125th Psalm, revealing that to me. Because of this mountain, Jerusalem will not be shaken. But if the mountain moves, Jerusalem is vulnerable.

God is trusted to protect Israel, and as was promised in Genesis 12, God will bless those who bless Israel, and curse those who curse Israel.

Ps. 124: Ascent for Protection

Psalm 124:8 "Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Israel was a tiny nation. Though they had deep roots, they were outnumbered and couldn't have defended their land with a military force comparable to the other warring nations around their land. They knew, they had to acknowledge God as their deliverer. He was their only hope, and plus he promised he would be that deliverer. He had given them their land.

They knew they would have been destroyed. And the 124th Psalm acknowledges God as that deliverer.

Ps. 123: Ascents for Mercy

Psalm 123:3 "Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt."

Who can give those who believe in God mercy? Anyone but God? Believers face so much contempt and mockery for their faith that it hurts. It causes believers to fall down on their knees and depend on God for sustenance and mercy and for deliverance. It's not easy. Why do they face such contempt? Probably because their beliefs are so radical and life-changing and different. Probably because they take a stand against detrimental and sinful behavior. They depend completely on God for mercy and love, because they sure aren't going to get it from the world.

Ps. 122: Ascent for Jerusalem

Psalm 122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure.'"

David celebrates and wants to bless Jerusalem in this 122nd Psalm. These are words of rejoicing for David, as it made him glad to be joined in worship. He was proud to be inside the gates. It was his city, the city of David. He knew that the throne of God would be there, and only wanted Israel to be blessed through it, and through God.

But trouble was brewing.

Ps. 121: God is Watching

Psalm 121:7-8 "The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

The 121st Psalm is pretty incredible, and demonstrates just how closely and carefully God keeps watch over his people. He is constantly watching. He doesn't let anything fall to chance. Never slumbering or sleeping, he shows great care in protection.

My daughter is now about one month old. I have to sleep. Every night. I simply can't watch over her all the time. If I could watch over her all the time, I could not protect her from all the kinds of harm that can suddenly befall an infant.

It makes this watchfulness of God that much more wonderful, and it makes me glad.

Ps. 120: Ascents

Psalm 120:7 "I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war."

This sounds like a sleeping giant here. Someone who knows there is great power behind him because he trusts in God. Softspoken, but not afraid. Not someone to be messed with. He knows the wicked go unpunished, and warns them of their doom.

I'm not sure what it means to dwell in the tents of Kedar in Meshech, but apparently they hate peace. They are uninterested in unity. I had to look back on what I read, but Meshech was a descendant of Japheth, and Kedar a son of Ishmael. That takes us back to Genesis 25, and the prophecy that seemed to doom Ishmael's race.

This seems to continue that prophecy.

Ps. 119: Acrostic Time

This is the longest chapter I've read to this point, and it isn't really close. There are 22 subdivided sections of 8 verses each, apparently beginning with a different letter in the Jewish alphabet. That is interesting. It was probably useful in memorization. Which is good, because it is so long. Many of these are brief reviews and cribs of previous Psalms.

Aleph - vs 1-8 - A call to be obedient to the good and righteous commands God made. This results in great blessing.

Beth - vs 9-16 - Purity comes from following God's statutes. Wholehearted seeking of God's laws prevent sin against Him.

Gimel - vs 17-24 - The importance of committing to remember and take to heart what the LORD decrees. To want one's soul to be consumed with longing for God's word.

Daleth - vs 25-32 - In humility, a desire to learn, and a recognition of a person's place in life, fully depending on God. Choosing truth instead of living in deceit.

He - vs 33-40 - Turning from worthless things, from pointless ways to God's commands to find meaning.

Waw - vs 41-48 - Demonstrating the Psalmists commitment to do the things God asks..."I will" answer, trust, walk in truth, obey, speak of God's statues, lift up one's hands, and meditate on God's decrees.

Zayin - vs 49-56 - Trusting in God's promise of deliverance, as well as committing to follow God's precepts.

Heth - vs 57-64 - It's not easy to change one's path in life, but the command is to follow God. And that is the writer's promise here. It takes effort.

Teth - vs 65-72 - A willing student, eager to be taught and to learn God's good precepts, more precious than silver and gold.

Yodh - vs 73-80 - The writer understands that he reflects God to others, and wishes to be a role model to those who see him. His fear of God drives him to be an example.

Kaph - vs 81-88 - In spite of hardship and adversity, emphasis on that which comes from men out to torment him, the writer trusts in God, and holds to God's promises.

Lamedh - vs 89-96 - Given that God's laws are eternal and everlasting, and given that a person holds to these laws, wouldn't it stand logic's test to believe that man can be eternal and everlasting? I mean, at some point when it all goes down.

Mem - vs 97-104 - Boasting on the good things that have happened and the great wisdom and knowledge gained from desiring and meditating on God's laws and precepts.

Nun - vs 105-112 - Guided only by the word of God, the writer demonstrates his commitment to following God in spite of hardships.

Samekh - vs 113-120 - Sort of a message to those who wish to oppose the writer, and by extension those who oppose God. It's not a friendly message. It's not looking for compromise. God sustains those who love him and uphold his laws.

Ayin - vs 121-128 - The Psalmist throws himself on God's mercy and justice, realizing that he follows God's laws, and trusts God for protection. He doesn't just hope for the best.

Pe - vs 129-136 - Total commitment to the word of God evokes an emotional reaction when others do not share this commitment. Amazing.

Tsadhe - vs 137-144 - Trouble, distress and adversity befall the writer here, but his encouragement, his sustenance comes from the word of God, and its not just sustenance. It is delight.

Qoph - vs 145-152 - Total devotion to God's statutes...with time and heart and energy and lifestyle.

Resh - vs 153-160 - Facing harm and persecution from those who do not fear God, the Psalmist wishes to remind God that he closely keeps God's laws.

Sin and Shin - vs 161-168 - Persecuting rulers don't make the writer tremble the way God does. Because of this, he keeps God's laws and loves them.

Taw - vs 169-176 - The writer is able to do and to become many great things because of God and the things God does for him. Great things that involve worshipping God and giving him the flory.

Ps. 118: His Love Endures Forever

Psalm 118:29 "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

The Psalmist recounts here in the 118th Psalm the many ways God has delivered him, and will continue to protect him. These are praiseworthy things. There are many great precepts to take to heart in this passage.

Trust God, not men. God takes those who may not have what the world sees as important qualities. For example, the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, the piece that holds the structure together.

God's deliverance is to be celebrated, with boughs in hand, and with a festal procession. Pretty fun.

Ps. 117: Brief Reminder

Psalm 117 "Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD."

This is the shortest chapter I can recall reading, and it's simple. A simple, memorable recitation to remember to praise the LORD for he loves us and is faithful to us. And His love and faithfulness are great and every bit as big and immeasurable as God Himself is.

Ps. 116: Source of Good

Psalm 116:16 "O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains."

I read a Psalm like the 116th, and I can't help but take heart, no matter what kind of stuff may be burdening me at the time. I read here that it is God who delivers. God and God only. God hears the cries of those who call out to him. He has ears that hear.

You have freed me from my chains.

Man.

What is chaining you, what is burdening you? How long will I struggle against these chains without calling on God because I think I can free myself?

And when I am freed, what is my thank offering?

I just have to ponder that, I guess.

Ps. 115: Trust in the LORD

Psalm 115:8 "Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them."

Israel serves a God who is invisible. He is intangible, not something that can be caught, tagged, photographed and released. The other nations serve and worship idols. Carved. Graven.

The passage of verses 5 through 8 is particularly poetic. It does a great job contrasting the idols and visible gods with God Almighty. Mouths that do not speak, ears that do not hear, noses that do not smell, eyes that do not see, hands that do not feel, feet that do not walk. This all demonstrates that simply because a god can be seen, it is no reason to worship. Almighty God, who deserves worship, has no physical (as far as I know) eyes, ears, hands, etc.

Verse 8 damns those who serve and worship these unseeing, unhearing gods. They will be like them. This type of dichotomy leads me to think that even today if God revealed himself in some physical form, he would not be believed.

Israel is implored to trust in the LORD. Those who trust God will be saved.

Ps. 114: Water and Rocks

Psalm 114:7-8 "Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water."

God intends for His creation to do and to be precisely what He means it to. Most of the time, the sea is the sea, rivers are rivers, and mountains are mountains. Occasionally, and to meet God's purposes, he calls on the sea, the river, and the rock to do and be something they aren't used to doing and being. And they obey without hesitation.

Does that go for man?

Ps. 113: Good LORD

Psalm 113:3 "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised."

God is the ruler of all the Earth. And most likely, from what I gather, he must be the LORD of the universe. He is exalted over the nations and above the heavens. From the rising to the setting sun. So not just everywhere, every time.

There is no one like him. God is the lone superpower in the universe.

And he's good, lifting the poor from the ash heap and the dust to set them among princes. He doesn't play favorites. He doesn't see rank. All are equal at his table. And he doesn't lower those with high stature. He wants to better lower people's situations. He doesn't take away the prince's success in this illustration. He certainly could, and has punished the high and mighty, but he seeks to elevate those in need, not ruin those with plenty.

Also, that part about settling the barren mother in her home as a happy mother...That's wonderful, and we've seen numerous situations where that has been the case. Sarai, Rebekah, Hannah, Rachel.

Ps. 112: Security

Psalm 112:7 "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD."

The 112th Psalm is a pretty encouraging one that demonstrates how safe and secure a mindset a person can have when they fully trust God, no matter what kind of tragedy or adversity befalls him.

It starts out saying "blessed is the man who fears the LORD." This isn't to say that God will bless someone just because he fears Him, does it? Although, any blessing does come from God. Perhaps the blessing is the security and assurance that comes from trusting in God.

Look at the bad things that can (and likely will) occur...darkness and bad news. When God is the center, there is no need to fear or go crazy. Light dawns in darkness. A righteous man will not be shaken. He will have victory over his foes, while they will be vexed and shattered.

That is good news.

Ps. 111: God is Good

Psalm 111:9 "He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name. "

The 111th Psalm serves as a reminder to the reader how great and praiseworthy God is. There are lots of adjectives here that describe the things God is or has done:

Great
Delightful
Glorious
Majestic
Righteous
Forever
Powerful
Faithful
Just
Trustworthy
Redeeming
Holy
Awesome

That just about says it. And the things we take for granted, His provisions, and His creation, are the things that say the most about his power...the things that are the most amazing about God. Phenomenal cosmic powers...but remembers our itty bitty living space.

I love it.

Ps. 110: Victory Prophesied

Psalm 110:4 "The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'"

Another brief, if rather cryptic, Psalm. The 110th Psalm begins with a sort of awkward English phrase, "The LORD said to my Lord." Two different Lords. One the ancient one, referring to the almighty, the second, presumably the title of a man, just some Lord.

Lots of prophecy here, about someone, if not David, who is coming out of the order of Melchizedek, who first blessed Abram after he rescued Lot in Genesis 14 (blog). I'm not sure of Melchizedek's significance at this point. He wasn't the first priest...or was he? Anyway, apparently another priest is coming who will be used by God to bring complete and total crushing victory over all God's enemies.

The womb of dawn is a pretty weird little metaphor. From the womb of the dawn, you will receive the dew of your youth. I get the sense of fresh...newness. A new day brings dew. All things new. A youth is fresh, strong. Renewal. Ponderous.

Ps. 109: The Cursed Man

Psalm 109:21 "But you, O Sovereign LORD, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me."

Here is David putting the wood to an enemy. He bemoans how this person is wicked, and was prone to cursing, so here is the 109th Psalm, bringing a curse down on him.

In other Psalms, David usually left specific acts of revenge or judgment in the hands of God. Here, David offers all kinds of tit-for-tat ideas for God...in case God runs out of ideas to punish.

It gets pretty severe: "May his children become fatherless, may his wife become a widow." Nothing to read between the lines of here, David wants this person dead for the wickedness and evil this person has done.

And I don't know if it's necessarily a specific person. Saul was probably David's main antagonist as I recall, but he wasn't the only one.

Another interesting thing about the 109th Psalm. Its for the music director. This was meant to be sung in church, so to speak. Can you imagine?

Ps. 108: Divine Victory

Psalm 108:13 "With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies."

David singles God out, among all the nations, all the peoples, as worthy of his praise. David recognizes God's power in victory and to mark off boundaries of the land. (Is human-claimed possession of land an illusion? I suppose.) David knows that the only way to achieve and maintain possession of the promised land is to trust in God, and trust him to make the borders.

Interesting how there are two very different ideas of the land. Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim and Judah are described as helmets, scepters...very useful objects. Important in conquest and protection. However, the enemy lands (Moab, Edom, Philistia) are seen basically as toilets and doormats. Useful, but not near the honor bestowed upon the Israelite land.

Ps. 107: God's Deeds

Psalm 107:6 "Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress."

The 107th Psalm begins the 5th and final book of the Psalms. Its an interesting, very lyrical chapter here. It demonstrates that whenever Israel had a need, in spite of their sin and complaining, God "delivered them from their distress." In fact, that couplet, combined with "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men," is repeated four times throughout the chapter. This repetition suggests importance.

If it is important, then why would we not give thanks to the LORD for his deliverance from our distress. Unless we think that for some reason we have delivered ourselves. Isn't that the attitude? "God sent this destruction on me, but I got out of it." So God is to blame, and we are to credit for things that happened. Blasphemous, and I personally need to repent of that ridiculous notion.

Ps. 106: Confessional Praise

Psalm 106:47 "Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise."

As a churchgoer, worship is a large part of the service, and it's likely true anywhere you go to church. And in this society, music is the main, if not sole method of worship. Offering is also a worship, etc...

But here, I get the idea that confession is also a form of worship. The Psalmist recounts the failures and misdeeds of his nation. He doesn't attempt to justify them or gloss over them, simply to acknowledge that they happened, and the past can't be changed. The Psalmist also accepts the consequences without protesting their severity, although they were extremely severe.

I never thought about confessing to God as a method of worship, but the more I think about it, it is an important vessel. It involves the restoration of a man's relationship with God, and gives God all glory and power to restore that.

Ps. 105: Exodus Redux

Psalm 105:5 "Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,"

The 105th Psalm is a bit of a review of the essential parts of Exodus, touching on Moses and Joseph, and the amazing way God worked through seemingly improbably people and circumstances to rescue the people he loved. And his plans took years...decades to come to pass. Israel was enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. They wandered in the wilderness another 40. Joseph's story covered another 20 years or so, and he served a couple stints in prison.

When you think back on the circumstances, and the horrible times Israel went through, it magnifies the awesome way in which God delivered them. These are praiseworthy deeds. Makes me think I have it ok...

Do I hope things get worse so my deliverance is that much greater? Or do I simply not get down about the bad times? Because if God's promises hold true for me today, what do I have to fear?

Ps. 104: God Rules Creation

Psalm 104:30 "When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth."

Another Psalm firmly establishing God as the ultimate power in the universe, but still someone who cares enough about what goes on in the earth to stick around and maintain it. This isn't someone who goes by "set it and forget it." God is deeply and intimately involved with all the goings on of every creature, of every body of water, of everything we see as a geological feature. It is God who reigns in all of these things.

Ps. 103: What God Did

Psalm 103:17-18 "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts."

David resets why we praise. He lists off all these things that God has done for men, out of his own mercy and grace. It's all here.

 - Forgives sins

 - Heals diseases

 - Redeems from the pit

 - Crowns with love and compassion

 - Satisfies your desires with good things

 - Works righteousness and justice for the oppressed

 - Revealed himself and his deeds to Moses and Israel

 - Compassionate

 - Gracious

 - Slow to anger

 - Abounding in love

 - Not always accusing

 - His anger is temporary

 - Does not treat us as our sins deserve

 - Does not repay us according to our sins

 - Acts on great love for those who fear him

 - Infinite removal of transgressions

All these in spite of our status as dust, essentially. Why question that kind of love? How very praiseworthy indeed. It's really quite a list, and I suspect it's not even everything God has done.

Or will do.

Ps. 102: Hope for the Future

Psalm 102:28 "The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you."

This 102nd Psalm is pretty heartbreaking to read. Heartbreaking, but at the same time, hopeful. As bad as things are for the Psalmist (or Israel, I suspect), he doesn't blame God. This isn't a railing against the almighty for neglecting him, or allowing bad things to happen to him. There were very clear reasons why Israel would be cast aside, or ignored, and they have only to do with Israel's commitment (or lack thereof) to the covenant created by God and agreed to by Abraham.

Its pretty incredible foresight to desire these words to be read by future generations, those not yet born (you, me, everyone), so that they would trust God and hold to his covenant, otherwise they would be lost.