Author: PGC Administrator

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Psalm 126

English Standard Version (ESV)

Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord

A Song of Ascents.

126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
  we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
  and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
  “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
  we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
  like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
  shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
  bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
  bringing his sheaves with him.

Reflection

• This is a song of celebration by the exiles who returned to Zion. What emotions do you see expressed throughout this psalm? Have you ever experienced such emotions?
• Has God ever done something so great that you had to pinch yourself to see if you were dreaming?
• The Israelites give God the credit for the “great things” that have happened. How do you do with giving God the credit?
• When do you feel inhibited about freely expressing your joy?

What do you need to praise God for? Share your joy with him and others.

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+125

Psalm 125

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord Surrounds His People

A Song of Ascents.

125 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
  which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
  so the Lord surrounds his people,
  from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
  on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
  their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
  and to those who are upright in their hearts!
5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
  the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
  Peace be upon Israel!

Reflection

• The simile “like Mount Zion” offers a powerful image. Those who trust God enter into a towering security where evil neither has sway nor corrupts, where God’s goodness and peace prevail.
• Christians will also face many temptations and challenges as we live out our lives with God in this world. We should have such confidence and stability knowing that “the Lord surrounds his people from this time forth and forevermore” (v2).
• What worldly influences tempt you at home, at work, or in society? How do you stay “unmoved” (v1)?
• When is it hardest for you to trust the Lord? Why?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+124

Psalm 124

English Standard Version (ESV)

Our Help Is in the Name of the Lord

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

124 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
  let Israel now say—
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
  when people rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
  when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
  the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone
  the raging waters.

6 Blessed be the Lord,
  who has not given us
  as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird
  from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
  and we have escaped!

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
  who made heaven and earth.

Reflection

• David voiced praise to God for not allowing the pagan nations that surrounded Israel to defeat and assimilate God’s people. It’s only because God was on Israel’s side, that they had survived. So, all Israel praised the maker of heaven and earth, who has proven to be his people’s help.
• No one can fight evil alone. It is God who “was on our side” fighting for us. God has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrew 13:5). Jesus told his disciples, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”(Matt 28:20)
• What external or internal enemy is God saving you from? Come before His mercy throne, for we know where we can have sure help.

Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+123

Psalm 123

English Standard Version (ESV)

Our Eyes Look to the Lord Our God

A Song of Ascents.

123 To you I lift up my eyes,
  O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants
  look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
  to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
  till he has mercy upon us.

3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
  for we have had more than enough of contempt.
4 Our soul has had more than enough
  of the scorn of those who are at ease,
  of the contempt of the proud.

Reflection

• Mercy (v3) is a much-admired quality in the Old Testament. It is compassion, and concern for a helpless person’s plight, which finds expression in reaching out with help.
• The person who needs mercy is completely dependent on the willingness of another to help. God’s people look to God for mercy as a slave, dependent on another’s kindness, looks expectantly to his or her master. How wonderful that as we depend on God, he does reach out to help us.
• Recall a time when you’ve said “I’ve had it” (or as in v3, “we have had more than enough of contempt”). How has God shown mercy then? Read this psalm over a couple of time and have a conversation with God.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.