Psalm 131

This is the 12th psalm of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms

¹ My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
² But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
³ O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

It is amazing how a short psalm like Psalm 131 can ease our mind. The beauty of God’s Word is how the truth found in each verse can touch the heart of those who are not proud, who have quieted themselves so that the Spirit of God can renew that individual relationship between them and God.

How often do we try to put ourselves or others on a pedestal only to see how easy it is to fall off that pedestal? How often do we seem to have all the answers and then realize that the path we have charted is taking us in the wrong direction? How often do we let our thought become express words without going through the filtering system that we have developed during our experiences on this earth? Yet the opening verse of this Psalm gives us the advice that we need to avoid all these issues. The definition of pride found in the dictionary is: a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc. Synonyms for being proud include pride, conceit, self-esteem, egotism, and vanity can imply an elevated idea of the way we appear to others. The advantages, achievements, as well as the position that we attain in this life, often lead us to develop characteristics that creates an environment in which self-admiration takes over in our life. I recall one of my favorites saying in the days of my youth as “when you are good you are good, but when you are great you are like me!”. However, age can sometimes have a way of adjusting our attitudes, and where pride exist a fall is close behind.

Sooner or later we arrive at the place in our life after the fall from pride, that we realize that there are matters that we can’t handle and things that are now greater than your abilities to comprehend and explain. It is during these time that we either return again to the folly of starting over and doing things my way again, or finally stops and wait on God to make things happen. We daily face the challenge of doing it my way or waiting on God. There is a lot of pride in doing things my way, however, there is no rest. As I study the ministry of Christ, I realize that this psalm reflects the yoke that Christ refers to in Matthew chapter 11 verses twenty-five through thirty:

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Yes, to the wise and learned the hidden things of God are hidden. It is only when we realized that our hope is not the power that we have but that this hope awaits those that wait on God. So, if you are weary and burden with the issues of life then take Christ offer and take his yoke and learn from Him.

Psalm 130

This is the 11th psalm of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms

¹ Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
² O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
³ If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?
⁴ But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
⁵ I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
⁶ My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
⁷ O 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.

And not only did he redeemed Israel from all their sins, but also all who believe in Christ.

As I was studying A.W. Tozer’s book Knowledge Of The HolyI was impressed by his last chapter The Open Secret. The open secret that he discusses in this chapter is how can the Christian bring back the departed glory that is missing in the church today. I believe he starts in the right direction with the statement “Any forward step in the Church must begin with the individual.” The open secret is simple “acquaint thyself with God”. He has given us the realm of nature which we can experience his created power; however, as we see from Psalm nineteen the knowledge that man receives from the nature (natural revelation) only points him to God. Only by studying his Word daily can we experience the true fellowship with God that our spiritual nature seeks. Do not allow the things and the events of this world take away time from his Word. Open the scriptures and acquaint thyself with God. This is the best self-help book available. Heed the advice that Paul gave Timothy in II Timothy three:

But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

Stay in God’s Word daily and you will find that your life will become complete.

Psalm 129

This is the 10th psalm of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms

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 with it the reaper cannot fill his hands, nor the one who gathers fill his arms.
⁸ May those who pass by not say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we blessyou in the name of the LORD.”

Sometimes we seem to forget verse four, “but the LORD is righteous” when we look at the events around us. As Psalm 128 explains we need to have the fear of the Lord and be walking in his ways to be blessed; here the psalmist warns against making this saying “The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we blessyou in the name of the LORD.” to those who oppress Israel and hate Zion. To fear God is to acknowledge God’s love and future desires for Israel. Therefore, keep your eyes on Israel because that is the nation that God in using to determine the Second Coming of his Son.

Belief in the Jesus as your Lord and Savior can present problems for some individuals around the world. Must of the time I believe most Christians only have concerns and prayers that center around their social unit. In large portions of the world Christians are not only looked down upon but are also persecuted for their beliefs. We must also realize that the doctrines and belief system different greatly even within the circles of Christianity. The one truth that we do share is Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and we build the foundation of our belief system on Him. So, as you read this psalm realize that other believers in the world are greatly oppressed and this psalm offers them the assurance that the Lord is watching over them.

Psalm 128

This is the 9th psalm of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms

¹ Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.
² You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.
⁴ Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.
⁵ May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,
⁶ and may you live to see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.

Verse, one points back to Psalm one and focus on our walk with God which I believe is the main theme of the Book of Psalms. To determine whether your walk is “the way of righteous or the way of the wicked” ask yourself these two simple questions: do I fear the Lord, and do I desire to walk in his ways? The first question “do I fear the Lord” really cannot be answered until you define what this phase means to you. One of the ways I have found helpful in defining this phase is looking at how it is used in the scriptures. To fear the Lord means to walk in his ways. How do we walk in his ways? Paul tells Timothy to study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. So, the first step involves studying. The second step in serving the Lord is to serve him. By performing a word search on the “fear of God” in the Bible and studying the scriptures associated with the “fear of God” you will soon realize that this phase is also tied to the phase “and walk in his ways”. The third step in fearing the Lord is to shun or stay away from evil.

In Proverbs the fear of the Lord is associated with:

• the beginning of wisdom and knowledge
• those who shun and hates, evil behavior, pride, arrogance and perverse speech
• adds length to life
• a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
• teaches a man humility
• being kept safe from evil.

One of the greatest blessings that one can have in live is to live and see your children’s children. I have grown to learn that your grandchildren can be one of the greatest blessings you can enjoy in your old age. Just as I am typing these words I am listening to the playful noises of my grandchildren playing downstairs. Yes I live for the Lord, and yet in my retirement years I am blessed to have many grandchildren to live for and enjoy.

Even when families break apart there can be wonderful blessings for those who stay faithful in their walk with God. I love Psalm 119: 96 “I have seen a limit to all perfection, but thy commandment is exceedingly broad”. Sometimes we get very disappoint were the things and issues that surround us are not as perfect as we desire. We need to be careful that we do not strive to take corrective actions to make these things or issues perfect when they are no longer in our hands. But when we walk in the commandment of the Lord seems to restore the brokenness into something beautiful.

Psalm 127

This is the 8th psalm of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat for he grants sleep to those he loves. Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. 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. (NIV)

This Psalm focus on the theme of building. Verse, one starts out with a bold statement state “that the Lord must be the master builder”. As I read this Psalm, I reflect on how this Psalm is used in seminars to teach biblical principles on how to build successful lives and families. Just do a Google search on the phase “how to build successful lives and families” and you will get over 426,000,000 hits. However, as I read this verse, I reflect back on Genesis chapter eleven where mankind as a whole stated, “come let us build a city, and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven, and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth”. So, what did God do? He confused the language of men and scattered them abound. However, a simple review of history will reflect that the theme of making us a name has been goal of mankind ever since this event. If you Google the phase “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain” you will get over 694,000 hits. As I look at the websites, they use these verses to support an important part of their ministry, or belief system. However, as I study Genesis chapter eleven on how God separated the nations through the whole planet, I see how he used one family to create a nation that he would work through. In Genesis chapter twelve we read about the call of Abram. Abram was called to leave and follow the direction of God. God promise to bless him and make his house great. The key principle found in this Psalm is that you must make the Lord the builder and caretaker of your life.

Psalm 126

This is the 7th psalm of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms

¹ When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men 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, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.
⁵ Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

As one reads this verse look at your captivity as the bondage that sin had passed upon us and the freedom we have because of Christ. When Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden God did not leave them without hope since he promised a seed to woman that would someday bruise Satan’s head. He did the same with Judah when they were carried away by the Nebuchadnezzar’s army to Babylon. He promised that a remnant would return. This is also true of us as believers today. We are free from the penalty of death because of Christ and have the gift to walk in freeness of life from this sinful nature by the power of the Holy Spirit. This walk is outlined for the believer in Galatians chapter Five. The fruit of the Spirit are: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control. This is in contrast to the works of the flesh (sinful nature) such as: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wrath, factions, divisions, parties, envy, murders, drunkenness, and revelings that we had as our nature before we turn our way from the works of the flesh to enjoying the fruit of the spirits. These fruits of the Spirit does not come by our works, but by our daily walk in the Spirit.

As I read the second half of verse two “Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” I have to go to the prophecy found in Ezekiel 37:28 “Then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.” This is probably one of the prophecies that the writer of this Psalm was thinking of when he wrote this Psalm. We also as believers have this hope and promise of a new heaven and a new earth found in Revelation chapter twenty-one. The beauty of this new heaven and new earth is that God dwelling is with man and he will live with us. The old order of things will be passed away. Who will make up this new environment? The answer is found in verse twenty-seven. “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” So until then, live a blameless life so that people around you can see that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life and that the peace this gives you in your daily walk will also become the peace that they desire to have in their life.

Psalm 125

This is the 6th psalm of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms

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 Do good, O LORD, 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 upon Israel.

As I consider verse three “for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil” I recall Ephesians 2:1-22 and Ephesians 6:11,12. In Ephesians 2:1-22 Paul reminds us that our walk before coming to Christ was according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that works in the sons of disobedience. However; after coming to Christ, we are now fellow citizens with the saints and belong to the household of God. However, because of our change in citizenship we are now in a battle against the world of our past. As Paul states in Ephesians 6:11-18 we must stand against the wiles of the devil. Our warfare is no longer a struggle against the things in our life that keeps us away from God, but it is against the principalities and powers of wickedness in the heavenly places. As our country moves farther away from God it becomes easier for the righteous to turn and use their hands to do evil. However, Christians must remember that in these times we must do good and remain upright in heart. Remember that it is the Lord who judges the ways of the wicked and banish them from his presence; and that the task we must seek is not judgment but to do good and be upright in heart. Our battle is against the principalities and powers of wickedness in the heavenly places not trying to correct the evils of this world. We are not of this world but like Abraham we are looking for the new heaven and the new earth.

My desire is to be one that trust in the Lord and never be shaken by the events happening around me. Another characteristic found in this psalm is for the Lord to do good to those who do good and who have an upright heart. As one who is about to finish seven decades on this earth, I have seen how the pure in heart has been blessed. God does surround them and protects them.

Psalm 124

This is the 5th psalm of the fifteen Song of Ascents psalms

¹ If the LORD had not been on our side let Israel say
² if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,
³ when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive;
⁴ the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us,
⁵ the raging waters would have swept us away.
⁶ Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
⁷ We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.
⁸ Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

As I read this Psalm, I reflect back to one of the darkest moments of my life. It was at this time in my life I had to make some major decisions. One of those decisions lead to the creation of the website my5dailypsalms. Having been in a Christian environment all my life some of the greatest truths of the scripture escape me. One of these truths is how much the Word speaks to the individual who daily studies the scriptures.

In this 5th psalm of the Song of Ascents the psalmist focuses on the phase “if the Lord had not been on our side”. This psalm does not focus on victory, but on protection and the deliverance from evil. It was in my darkest moment that I realized that I had been fighting for the things in life that I desired and not the close relationship to God that He desires for my life. As I reflect upon this Psalm, I realize how important the Bible as well as the great songs of the faith have been in my life.

One of the greatest joys I had at church in my youth was the music and the lyrics of these songs. One of these songs Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus written by Helen Lemmel reflects how our Christian walk should be like in this world:

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you, see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain

The closer the relationship we have with God the farther the desires of the world will be in our life; however, the closer the relationship we have with the things of this earth the farther our relationship becomes with God. So, as we stay in His Word and reflect upon the great hymns of the faith, we will realize that the things of this world will grow strangely dim as we grow in our relationship with Him.

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.

Another theme of this psalm is Jerusalem and the house of David. The way that Jerusalem is praise in this psalm is the way I love to praise our country. We need to pray for our country and our leaders. When studying the kingdom of Israel under the first three kings (Saul, David, Solomon) we see the rise of twelve tribes to a strong nation, just to split into two nations soon after Rehoboam took over the kingdom from Solomon. As we look back to Lincoln’s Gettysburg address to the words that only eighty-seven years had passed from the creation of this nation that was engaged in a Civil War that was threatening to destroy this nation that was created under God of the people, by the people, and for the people. It did survive. Now we are approaching two hundred and fifty years as a nation. Hopefully we will have still look to God to look over us and protect us. May we use this psalm as an example to pray for our country.