Psalm 123

This is the 4th psalm of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms

¹ I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven.
² As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy.
³ Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.
⁴ We have endured much ridicule from the proud, much contempt from the arrogant.

As I read this psalm today, I realized how simple our prayers should be. With all the issues of life that we face daily we must realize in the end that it is only our tunnel vision that can get us pass the clutter that these issues place in our daily life. Jesus during his time on earth faced many of the same distractions that we face in our everyday existence. However, Christ ministry was only focused on one purpose and that purpose was the cross for the glory of God. Paul writes about this in Philippians chapter two verses five through eleven:

Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Also, from these verses in Philippians we observe that we need to be like Christ who took on the role of a servant and not that of the master. Therefore, today no matter what happens in the daily events of your life focus your vision to God’s throne. Become a servant that God can use and obedient to Him. In other words, learn the simple rule of trust and obey. Live a blameless life and God will open doors of opportunities for you to serve.

Psalm 122

This is the 3rd psalm of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms

¹ I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
² Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.
³ Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.
⁴ 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.
⁵ There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.
⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.
⁷ May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”
⁸ For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”
⁹ For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.

As I read verse one, I reflect back to my early years that I went to church as a young child. As a child, church was a place of worship and this was an event that we treasured every Sunday. It was a day set aside to worship the Lord and to praise him. As a child I was sheltered from most of the problems of this world, and not aware of any of the issues that were in the world around me. I was allowed to enjoy life as a child.

There is comfort in being surrounded by those who have the same belief system as you do. However, as our country moves away from any association with God, I find it harder to be surrounded by those who have my belief system. And yet with a welcoming statement such as “How is it going this great and beautiful and wonderful day that God has given us” does open conversions about the Greatness of our God.

Is God in your everyday conversations? Do you let the world know how much he means to you? I may not be a preacher or a minister; but I will always be a witness to the glorious power of an ever-loving Lord in my life. I will let the world know Christ lives in me and the life I now live is a life that reflects Christ in my daily to daily activities.

Psalm 121

This is the 2nd psalm of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms

¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
³ He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
⁵ The LORD watches over you the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life;
⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

This psalm shows us how much God watches over us. Yes, we do have angels that attend to our needs, but it is the Lord that watches over us not his angels. Read Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not look down on these little ones.” “For I tell you that their angels in heaven always look to the face of my father in heaven.” and you will see that it is God who watches over us not angels. The angels are looking to God for directions. With this in mind shouldn’t we also be looking to God for directions in everything we do as we walk the path of life that he has placed before us.

In a world of uncertainty ask yourself where is the answer to your problems and the issues you face in life? Do we really look to the Lord to meet our everyday needs? As I was reading Psalms 119 yesterday verse one introduces the reader to the true purpose of this Psalm. The purpose is to help and strengthen the one who wants to live a blameless life and who wants to walk in the way of the Lord.

This psalm helps illustrates the personal relationship an individual can have with God. The individual relationship that David had with God can be seem throughout his writings as well as the other authors of the Psalms. Yet it is not only an individual relationship that we share with God, but also a national relationship as seen by verse four of this Psalm. God does watch over the nations. This Psalm illustrates the importance of looking to God for deliverance. But what do we do then our nation as a whole rejects God ways? Christ gives us the answer is given in Luke chapter thirteen verses one through nine:

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. He spoke also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbered it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shall cut it down.

In these verses we are given two events, one political and one natural where Christ was asked the reason why these happened. His reply was simply, do not worry about why these events are happening, or what caused them, but instead make sure you repent. In other words, we need to focus on our relationships with God and our fellowmen. The parable of the fig tree also shows how much the servant is willing to just do to save the tree under his care. This is the same care Christ has for us when we place ourselves under his leadership.

Psalm 120
A Song of ascents.

¹ I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me.
² Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.
³ What will he do to you, and what more besides, O deceitful tongue?
⁴ He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom tree.
⁵ Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar!
⁶ Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.
⁷ I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war.

This is the 1st of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms. This psalm can have a special meaning to those individuals who have faced a time in their life where the lies and deceitful actions of others has caused and created destructive circumstances in their life. In verses one and two the psalmist calls to the Lord in his distress with the request to deliver him from lying lips and deceitful tongues. One of the pitfalls I now realized in dealing with people who use deceptive practices is the idea that the truth will prevail. Verse two describes these people as having lying lips and a deceitful tongue. These people use the same methods as Satan practices. Paul states this same type of description of the false prophets in the early church found in II Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”. The pitfall that we face is that we expect that truth will prevail over deceitful tongues and lying lips almost immediately. That is not the case. If this is true, then the real question we must face is how do we deal with people in our life you use lies and deceitful actions to get their way. The answer is not easy.

One of the issues I discovered is that people who used deceptive ways are cunnings. Psalm 64 describes their ways as a perfectly devised plan. So be careful in dealing with people in your life those that use lies and deceitful actions to get their way. It is better to turn the issue over to the Lord then to handle it yourself. This is the action that the psalmist is describing here in verse three when he states, “What will he (the Lord) do to you and what more besides”. Leaving judgment in God’s hands may seem impossible at the time, however, this is the action that David practiced in dealing with people who use lies and deceitful actions to get their ways.

One of the timeless truths that comes from this psalm is the wonder of God’s grace in our life. By waiting on God to take action we will not only see righteousness prevail, but we can also experience the peace that his grace affords use. The words of the song He Giveth More Grace by Annie J. Flint described to us how boundless his grace ready can be.

1. He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
   He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
   To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
   To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
   When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
   When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
   Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
3. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
   Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
   Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
   The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
4. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
   His power no boundary known unto men;
   For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
   He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again

So, wait on the Lord and watch his grace grow in your life which will give you a much richer life.

Ways of the Lord

³ who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!

⁵ O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping thy statutes!

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word..

¹⁴ In the way of thy testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.

¹⁵ I will meditate on thy precepts, and fix my eyes on thy ways.

²⁶ When I told of my ways, thou didst answer me; teach me thy statutes!

²⁷ Make me understand the way of thy precepts, and I will meditate on thy wondrous works.

²⁹ Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me thy law!

³⁰ I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set thy ordinances before me.

³² I will run in the way of thy commandments when thou enlargest my understanding!

³⁷ Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; and give me life in thy ways.

⁵⁹ When I think of thy ways, I turn my feet to thy testimonies;

¹⁶⁸ I keep thy precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before thee.

Testimonies of the Lord

² Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,

¹⁴ In the way of thy testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.

²² take away from me their scorn and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies.

²⁴ Thy testimonies are my delight, they are my counselors.

³¹ I cleave to thy testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame!

³⁶ Incline my heart to thy testimonies, and not to gain!

⁴⁶ I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings, and shall not be put to shame;

               ⁵⁹ When I think of thy ways, I turn my feet

⁷⁹ Let those who fear thee turn to me, that they may know thy testimonies.

to thy testimonies;

⁸⁸ In thy steadfast love spare my life, that I may keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

⁹⁵ The wicked lie in wait to destroy me; but I consider thy testimonies.

⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my meditation.

¹¹¹ Thy testimonies are my heritage forever; yea, they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹⁹ All the wicked of the earth thou dost count as dross; therefore I love thy testimonies.

¹²⁵ I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies!

¹²⁹ Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore, my soul keeps them.

¹³⁸ Thou hast appointed thy testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.

¹⁴⁴ Thy testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

¹⁴⁶ I cry to thee; save me, that I may observe thy testimonies.

¹⁵² Long have I known from thy testimonies that thou hast founded them forever.

¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from thy testimonies.

¹⁶⁷ My soul keeps thy testimonies; I love them exceedingly.

¹⁶⁸ I keep thy precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before thee.

The Statues of the Lord

⁵ O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping thy statutes!

⁸ I will observe thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly!

¹² Blessed be thou, O LORD; teach me thy statutes!

¹⁶ I will delight in thy statutes; I will not forget thy word.

²³ Even though princes sit plotting against me, thy servant will meditate on thy statutes.

         ²⁶ When I told of my ways, thou didst answer me; teach me thy statutes!  

³³ Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I will keep it to the end.

⁴⁸ I revere thy commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on thy statutes.

⁵⁴ Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

⁶⁴ The earth, O LORD, is full of thy steadfast love; teach me thy statutes!

               ⁶⁸ Thou art good and doest good; teach me thy statutes.  

⁷¹ It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.

⁸⁰ May my heart be blameless in thy statutes, that I may not be put to shame!

⁸³ For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten thy statutes.

¹¹² I incline my heart to perform thy statutes for ever, to the end.

¹¹⁷ Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for thy statutes continually!

¹¹⁸ Thou dost spurn all who go astray from thy statutes; yea, their cunning is in vain.

¹²⁴ Deal with thy servant according to thy steadfast love, and teach me thy statutes.

¹³⁵ Make thy face shine upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes.

¹⁴⁵ With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep thy statutes.

¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek thy statutes.

¹⁷¹ My lips will pour forth praise that thou dost teach me thy statutes.

Precepts of the Lord

⁴ Thou hast commanded thy precepts to be kept diligently.

¹⁵ I will meditate on thy precepts and fix my eyes on thy ways.

²⁷ Make me understand the way of thy precepts, and I will meditate on thy wondrous works.

⁴⁰ Behold, I long for thy precepts; in thy righteousness give me life!

⁴⁵ and I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought thy precepts.

⁵⁶ This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept thy precepts.

⁶³ I am a companion of all who fear thee, of those who keep thy precepts.

⁶⁹ The godless besmear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep thy precepts;

⁷⁸ Let the godless be put to shame, because they have subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on thy precepts.

⁸⁷ They have almost made an end of me on earth; but I have not forsaken thy precepts.

⁹³ I will never forget thy precepts; for by them thou hast given me life.

⁹⁴ I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the aged, for I keep thy precepts.

¹⁰⁴ Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way.

¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from thy precepts.

¹²⁸ Therefore I direct my steps by all thy precepts; I hate every false way.

¹³⁴ Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep thy precepts.

¹⁴¹ I am small and despised, yet I do not forget thy precepts.

¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love thy precepts! Preserve my life according to thy steadfast love.

¹⁶⁸ I keep thy precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before thee.

¹⁷³ Let thy hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen thy precepts.

^{Law of the Lord}

¹ Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!

¹⁸ Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

²⁹ Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me thy law!

³⁴ Give me understanding, that I may keep thy law and observe it with my whole heart.

⁴⁴ I will keep thy law continually, for ever and ever;

⁵¹ Godless men utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from thy law.

⁵³ Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake thy law.

⁵⁵ I remember thy name in the night, O LORD, and keep thy law.

⁶¹ Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget thy law.

⁷⁰ their heart is gross like fat, but I delight in thy law.

⁷² The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

⁷⁷ Let thy mercy come to me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight.

⁸⁵ Godless men have dug pitfalls for me, men who do not conform to thy law.

⁹² If thy law had not been my delight, I should have perished in my affliction.

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

¹⁰⁹ I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget thy law.

¹¹³ I hate double-minded men, but I love thy law.

¹²⁶ It is time for the LORD to act, for thy law has been broken.

¹³⁶ My eyes shed streams of tears, because men do not keep thy law.

¹⁴² Thy righteousness is righteous forever, and thy law is true.

¹⁵⁰ They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from thy law.

¹⁵³ Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget thy law.

¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love thy law.

¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love thy law; nothing can make them stumble.

¹⁷⁴ I long for thy salvation, O LORD, and thy law is my delight.