Psalm 130

Psalm 130

This magnificent song of salvation has its deepest and richest meaning in the life of the disciple. Most likely it was written about the end of the Babylonian captivity. It applies well to the sinner coming to the Salvation of Christ but can also apply to us as we wait for the return of Jesus.

Verses 1-4 provide for us a good picture of a penitent sinner searching for God's grace. Verses 5-6 show that heartfelt hope which only comes from an awareness of our sin and need. The phrase “more than watchmen for the morning” may be best illustrated for us by the liberation of the slaves in the British West Indies colonies in 1830. On August 1st of that year, 750,000 slaves were to be set free. On the night of July 31st the slaves gathered to worship, sing, and pray. They sent some of their number to hilltops to watch for the first rays of dawn and announce that the morning of freedom had come. We look for forgiveness and the coming of the Messiah far more than those slaves looked for the first ray of the morning sun.

“Come, Lord Jesus, come and set us at perfect liberty. AMEN.” 

Psalm 129

Psalm 129

This psalm, which was originally about the suffering of the exiles in Babylonian captivity, is seen by some as a reference to or a prophecy of the suffering of the church. There are a couple of key points in this psalm that will encourage us and prepare us.

First, persecution of the church is the norm for most of the church's history in most locations. The relative peace and freedom the church has enjoyed in the West is not the norm. Everywhere the church has been on the forefront of advancing the Gospel, it has had bitter persecution. “The plowers plowed my back” is likely a reference to the scars left by the whip. A harsh reality to this day for many believers. Second, the efforts of the enemy against the church will fail. Their best strategy would be to repent and convert to the faith. Third, the greatest blessing of God will ultimately be withheld from those who oppose the church. They will come to nothing like dry grass if they resist the church. Perhaps not now, but sooner or later.

“Lord bless the church as she suffers persecution. AMEN.”

Psalm 128

 Psalm 128

Everyone is aware and concerned about the breakdown of society. Few doubt that unless something changes, there is not much of a future for our nation. There's general agreement that the family is the backbone of any culture and the decline of the family always leads to ruin. In this psalm is a simple but demanding solution to our problems. We can go to the end and see the results we desire and, working from there, find how to accomplish those desired results. 

In verse 6 we see the multi-generational blessing of society. In verse 5 we see well-being during our lifetime. In verse 4 we see the context for these generations of blessings: “fear the Lord.” Within those benefits we see a godly father working, enjoying his work, and providing for his family. We don't see a family working extra jobs and grasping always for a little more. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” We have a happy, productive wife caring for her family and children, growing up around the table. The example of godly parents in a home affects generations and cultures and nations and history. Societal renewal apart from personal holiness in the home is not possible.

“Lord, restore our homes to Your standards. AMEN.”

Psalm 127

Psalm 127

This song can seem a little disjointed until we get a historic context. This psalm most likely has the context of Nehemiah's rebuilding of Jerusalem. Verses 1-2 describe the difficult and painful labor of the workers on the wall, building under threat of attack. While they were strong, determined, and valiant, if the Lord was not their protection, the enemy would overwhelm them.

But there is more to it than just the building project. In verses 3-5, there's a beautiful description of why the struggle is so important.  It is for the propagation of the next generation of those loyal to the Lord. We go through many hardships for the benefit of the next generation. But what is God's plan for that generation? Arrows are not close combat weapons but rather weapons that are sent. The next generation is intended to take the fight to the place where it's needed. Perhaps the city gate where the fighting is going to be most intense. Perhaps it is around the world as missionaries. All of our work is to prepare our children to accomplish God's purposes for them.

“Lord, we give our children to you to go where you would send them to accomplish your purposes. AMEN."

Psalm 126

Psalm 126

Sometimes good news is so good it is hard to believe when we first hear it. The diagnosis is late-stage cancer, but the retest indicates perfect health. We expect a foreclosure notice and receive notice that we won a million dollars in a sweepstakes. We live in exile captivity, and the emperor sets us free. We finally grasped that by our sin we deserve wrath and Hell, but by grace we are saved.

There needs to be a place in our lives to marvel at the spectacular wonder that we deserve Hell and are given Heaven. Think about it long enough, and it will seem too good to be true until we recall again the greatness of God. Praise Him!

Verse 4 is an interesting point. There were still those in Babylon who had not yet acted upon the declaration of liberty. The psalmist prays that the Lord restore them like a wadi.  A wadi is a dry stream bed that after a rain suddenly becomes a flash flood torrent of water. The psalmist asks God for a flash flood of exiles to return. Do we pray for a flash flood of loss to come to the saving knowledge of God's grace?

“Thank you, God, for the best news ever. Bring others into the knowledge of this gospel news. AMEN.”

Psalm 125

Psalm 125

Jerusalem, by virtue of geography and topography, was naturally fortified, and the added fortifications made her very defensible. But the real security was found in God's care and provision.

Notice in verse 3 that the rule or scepter of the wicked “will not rest.” But are there not some occasions when and where the wicked do in fact hold sway or rule over the godly? Yes, but that is the testing and temporary condition of God's people. If evil forever and permanently triumphs, then the godly might switch sides. In the midst of oppression, it may seem like evil has won. That is part of our testing. In the midst of what seems like endless oppression, can we believe and trust that it is not truly endless? If we can, then what we gain in those moments is a purified and stronger faith; we do not gain riches or comfort or praise. We must look at the short-term supremacy of evil and see beyond it. We must see that our hearts can be made upright. Even evil is not wasted but is used by God.

“Lord, give me confidence in the midst of difficulty to hope in you. AMEN.” 

Psalm 124

Psalm 124

The author of this Psalm is unknown. The default answer for authorship of a Psalm is David, but in this case that might not be correct. A better answer and context for this psalm would be Mordecai or someone close to him or Esther. The Book of Esther is an excellent commentary for this poem.

This Psalm needs to be prayed by every Christian in regard to the persecution of the church today. We hear daily of a new wave of persecution breaking out against the church. The persecution of the church is a story that is repeated throughout her history. 

The powers of darkness hate the church and in their cruelty wish to inflict pain, sorrow, and harm. But God is on the side of the persecuted church. In Christ the church will prevail. But until then we are on our way to that final victory, we will and ought to expect suffering. We must stand with and for the persecuted faithful. To say nothing is to speak, and to do nothing is to act. For persecuted Christians, pray this psalm and then do more.

“Lord, grant the church strength in suffering until the day of our victory in You. AMEN."