Psalm 131 describes the humility & peace of one who has learned all the lessons on this journey to worship. 133 details the blessing of bonding in God’s community of brothers – something surely accentuated by the journey and a reminder needed in the press of Jerusalem. 134 finishes the song cycle with a blessing on servanthood, seemingly as both a profession and lifestyle. Take these short songs together with the twin emphases of 132 (that worship is possible because of God’s revelation & that the Messiah will reign) and we see that the final songs reach a crescendo of praise through a counter-intuitive method. The worshipper is not the center of attention. His great journey is not about self...rather, his emphasis is on the Lord and the Lord’s people. God is not the God of the noisy, cacophonous yeller so much as the One who works praise to Himself through humble, brotherly, servants.

This may have been a song sung as one walked through the mikveh before entering the Temple gates. Its amazing message is that God saves those who don’t deserve it. Hope is found only in Him. This psalm contains some powerful truths, including: 1) All are sinful and in need of God’s grace. 2) God is feared because He forgives. This seeming paradox is based on the truth that the forgiver is in charge. 3) The follower waits, i.e., she is bound together with God’s plan. 4) God’s Word is the source of hope. 5) YHWH’s hesed never fails. 6) God Himself will redeem His covenant people.

These two psalms are dominated by four great thoughts of national worship:

1. Israel has been persecuted but will always be freed by God.

2. Those who curse Israel will be cursed.

3. Worship is possible because of God’s revelation through Israel.

4. The Messiah will reign over Israel as promised.

The most intriguing question is whether Psalm 127 was written by Solomon or whether some chronicler was commenting on the king’s life. Regardless of the answer, these two songs work together to show that the member of God’s community does not craft his own security. Rather the songs work chiastically together to show that:

Unlike the stock market, God’s past performance does guarantee future results. This leads to a lifestyle of joy (mentioned 4x in the psalm) – even in difficult days. The NIV displays the quatrain arrangement better, and shows the two great divisions of the song into what God has done and what we need Him to do. Verses 1-3 deal with God’s restoration work, covering God’s great activity, it’s impact on the restored one, it’s impact on the observing world, and the ongoing blessing of ever-current joy. Verses 4-6 describes the continual need for restoration, the reality of honest grief communication with God, the “seasonal” style of God’s provision, and the response of joy.

Again the rising up theme is emphasized in lifting of eyes. 123 begins with a recitation of God’s graciousness and ends with a call for mercy because His people are being laughed at. Mercy is their need and desire. 125 adds the justice aspect of the theme. In the opening two verses, God’s people praise that because of Hid presence they are solid no matter the circumstances. Further, this presence of protection is eternal. The final two verses are a call for justice that rings out similarly to the cry for mercy in 123.125:3 not only hinges thought from the opening into the last two verses, it also encapsulates the justice/mercy theme. God mercifully and intricately works out even human leadership so that His people can do justice. They always have the choice to do right. Because of who God is and what He does, His people are empowered to imitate Him in justice and mercy.

Life Change Objective – That we would practice justice and mercy.

The psalmist is awash with emotion as he arrives at the edge of the place of worship. In his exultation, he shows a zeal for giving honor to God. He also shows the sense of joy we find in place familiarity and tradition. However, he recognizes eternal truths as yet unseen – coming judgment – and this reality prevents traditionalism from reducing his worship to rote function. He closes with a call to prayer for the place of worship and its environs. Obviously, this applies to Jerusalem, yet a broader application is in order since all peoples are affected by the peace of places of YHWH worship.

This song, clearly intended to be sung like a football chant at a world cup game, introduces the Lord of Freedom. God removes His people from all snares and traps and has the power to keep them free.