Psalms Reading – 5.1.2022
Psalm 129
A song of ascents.
1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,” let Israel say;
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.
4 But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”
5 May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it, nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them, “The blessing of the Lord be on you;
we bless you in the name of the Lord.”
Psalm 130
A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.
Psalm 129 is the opposite of Psalm 128 where blessing flows from Zion. Psalm 129 pronounces curses on those who hate Zion. This psalm reminded the pilgrims that the journey to Zion is not easy nor is it free from the many challenges along the way.
As it was for this psalmist, youth should be taught that opposition will come in many forms as they follow Jesus. They should not be surprised that the road of discipleship is marked with trouble. However, we must tell them the rest of the story as found in the psalmist’s powerful statement of faith, “but they have not gained victory over me.” The Lord had cut him free from the cords of the ungodly.
It sounds similar to the Apostle John who said in response to the spirits of the antichrist already in the world, 1 John 4:4, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” Jesus is greater than whatever opposes us.
The ancient church identified Psalm 130 as one of seven penitential psalms. It offers hope that the Lord will one day remove the chief barrier to serving him: sin. As pilgrims made their way to Zion, they remembered the greatest obstacle to true worship was not their enemies but sin, which actually hindered them from serving God. This psalm pleads for mercy and encourages God’s people to wait on that mercy for God Himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. We know God ultimately answered this prayer in Jesus who came to rescue all who would trust in Him as Savior and Lord.
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: Are you instructing youth about the road of discipleship, both the reality of difficulty and promise of victory? Have you received your redemption from all your sins in Jesus?