Psalms Reading – 4.29.2022
Psalm 125
A song of ascents.
1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.
4 Lord, do good to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.
5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the Lord will banish with the evildoers.Peace be on Israel.
Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed
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.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Psalm 125 compares the faithful to Mount Zion. Just as other mountains surround the holy city, so the Lord encircles His people to protect them from the evil that presses in against them. The promise does not have an expiration date. It is now and forevermore.
The influence of evil rulers will not always stand against God’s people. Ultimately, this is fulfilled in Jesus who leads us in righteousness until He banishes all evil from creation. In that day, good will be awarded to those made good by Jesus, but those who have failed to be redeemed will be eternally punished. As we saw yesterday, the prayer for peace upon Israel was always on their minds.
Psalm 126 highlights the importance of remembering the past acts of the Lord. If the Lord was able to do it in the past, He can do it again. Just as Psalm 125 relates, God will make all things right again.
There are two results of God’s restoration: the people are filled with joy, and the testimony of the restoration reaches the nations. The ultimate goal for the people of God is to be a witness to the world of God’s wonder working power. In a world of trouble and pain, we may weep as we go about our faithful witness and service in the Lord, but we can be assured one day we will return with tremendous joy and a magnificent harvest. May we hold on to this hope in the midst of darkness.
Memory Verse: Psalm 121:1-2, I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Question(s) to Consider: Do you practice remembering God’s faithfulness in the past to give you encouragement for today? Are you holding on to the promise that all things will be made right?