Text: Psa 127:1-5 ESV

1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.

5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

-Psa 127:1-5 ESV

THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE

The travelers have to take note that God is in-charge in building the city of Jerusalem or a family. In both cases, they must acknowledge the sovereign rule of God. Their days, maybe, are filled with worry and they have sleepless nights. And, these could affect them adversely. Thus, they have to recognize God and Him alone as the builder (v.1-2)

1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Moreover, these travelers should be encouraged to trust in God by reminding themselves that their large and healthy family is a blessing from God. Their children provide stability, strength and honor in society (v.3-5)

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.

5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Today, let’s not forget that Jesus is the builder of our lives and family.[1 Cor 3:11]Apart from Him we are nothing.[John 15:5,16]. God is indespensable. Otherwise, we are building in vain.

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God’s Word for Today

11 Apr 2024

 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.

-Psa 126:1-6 ESV

THE LORD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR US

Jerusalem was plundered and the land was threatened for a while. But, God won’t allow it to happen for a long time. Israel rejoiced in God’s loving deliverance in an unexpected fashion (v.1-2a). 

 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;

The nations recognized that it is the work of God.[v.2b-3] The deliverance could be attributed to God alone.

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.

However, their problems were not over as yet. Hard work is what they need to do if they were to restore the land. They relied on God to provide water in the dry Negeb region.

4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,

    like streams in the Negeb!

But, they recognized that they would have to work hard and long before they could enjoy the fruits of the land again. (v.5-6).

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.

The lesson for the travelers, even for us,  is that we must persevere if we are to enjoy God’s blessing. God promises to provide the rain but we have to be industrious to prepare the land and sow the seeds.

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God’s Word for Today

10 Apr 2024

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!

-Psa 125:1-5 ESV

THE LORD SURROUNDS HIS PEOPLE

As the worshipers approach Jerusalem, they recall some of the hardships that the city has gone through. They reflect these as typical of their experiences as God’s chosen people. Like the formidable city of Jerusalem, they are completely secured and fully protected (v.1-2).

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.

There were times that Jerusalem came under the rule of its enemies. But, God would never allow these enemies to control it for long. These happens as God’s chastisement when His people lost their devotion to him (v.3). 

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.

God is just and righteous. Their security rests in the character of God. Surely God cares for the righteous and punishes their enemies (v.4-5).

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!

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Text: Psalm 124:1-8 (ESV)

1 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.

THE LORD WHO WAS ON OUR SIDE

These travelers were persecuted in the foreign lands where they dwelt. Once more, they recall the experience of David’s affliction as persecuted and sing one of his psalms that reflects their own experience. Their help was in the Lord entirely [v.1,2]

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,

Only through God’s grace and power have they been kept from much worse treatment. Their oppressors are as violent and destructive as a raging flood (v.3-5) as cruel as wild animals and as cunning as bird-trappers (v.6-7),

But, the travelers have the great Protector. He is the Creator on their side (v.6-8).

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

Let’s not forget that in most cases, God allows us to pass through hardships. He permits the enemy to attack us but ‘with the trials He would give us a way to bear and escape it.’ [1 Cor 10:13] Thus, we say, ‘If it had not been the LORD who was on our side”. The Lord is our help. In short, the battle is the Lord’s.

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Text: Psalm 123:1-4 (ESV) 

1 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.

O LORD, HAVE MERCY UPON US

The pilgrims are persecuted. Though tempted to look for worldly help, he resolved to only seek God and his help. This was not an equivocal decision.

To you I lift up my eyes,

O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

How did he describe his trust unto God?

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.

He perseveres for he believes God is merciful. He pleaded for mercy patiently. And, nobody can demand God’s mercy.

3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us,

for we have had more than

enough of contempt.

The enemy is relentless. They had more than enough troubles. But he trusts God won’t tolerate their wicked works.

4 Our soul has had more than enough

of the scorn of those who are at ease,

of the contempt of the proud.

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Text: Psa 122:1-9 ESV

1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”

2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!

3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together,

4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!

7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”

8 For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, “Peace be within you!”

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.

-Psa 122:1-9 ESV

LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

This psalm expresses the excitement of the pilgrim to worship. Like David, he is imagining himself as standing in Jerusalem to worship (v.1-2).

1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”

2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!

He sees Jerusalem as a beautiful, well-built city. The tribes of Israel are united in their worship of God. He recognizes that God rules his people through the throne of David (v.3-5).

3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together,

4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

He encourages everyone to pray that God will always preserve the city and prosper its people (v.6-8).

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!

7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”

8 For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, “Peace be within you!”

He himself will do all he can for the city’s good (v.9).

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.

Yes the Lord is the builder of the city. But, he is not a passive bystander. He is actively involved to enhance the good of the city’

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Text: Psa 121:1-8 ESV

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

-Psa 121:1-8 ESV

THE LORD IS YOUR KEEPER

The pilgrim journeys through the hill country. He looks up and that God who made the hills cares for him (v.1-2).

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

He could be tired and weary so that he sleeps by the roadside at night. But, God, who never sleeps, watches over him (3-4).

3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

God protects him from dangers by day and by night (5-6).

5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

Surely, they will be back home again safely. For God will keep him through his journey to Jerusalem and bring him safely home again (V.7-8).

7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

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God’s Word for Today

4 Apr 2024

In my distress I called to the LORD,

    and he answered me.

2 Deliver me, O LORD,

    from lying lips,

    from a deceitful tongue.

3 What shall be given to you,

    and what more shall be done to you,

    you deceitful tongue?

4 A warrior's sharp arrows,

    with glowing coals of the broom tree!

5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,

    that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

6 Too long have I had my dwelling

    among those who hate peace.

7 I am for peace,

    but when I speak, they are for war!

-Psa 120:1-7 ESV

I AM FOR PEACE

Each of the psalms from Psa 120 to 134 is entitled ‘A Song of Ascents’ (RSV; NIV). These psalms were apparently sung by worshippers as they journeyed up to Jerusalem for the various annual festivals.

It is also noted that they have been arranged in a sequence that reflects the feelings of the travelers. That is, the travelers are singing expressing their emotions through these songs as they step-out and begin their journey from distant regions to Jerusalem,  and ultimately join in the temple ceremonies.

This chapter opens with a cry from one who lives in a distant region and is bitterly persecuted by his neighbours (v.1-2). 

In my distress I called to the LORD,

    and he answered me.

2 Deliver me, O LORD,

    from lying lips,

    from a deceitful tongue.

They suffered insults, as like sharp arrows piercing and burning him like red-hot coals. He prays that God’s punishment of them will be just as painful (3-4). 

3 What shall be given to you,

    and what more shall be done to you,

    you deceitful tongue?

4 A warrior's sharp arrows,

    with glowing coals of the broom tree!

He is tired of being victimized. He feels as if he lives in a far-off land where he is surrounded by attackers from hostile tribes. He will set out for Jerusalem and seek some peace and refreshment of spirit in God’s house (v.5-7). 

5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,

    that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

6 Too long have I had my dwelling

    among those who hate peace.

7 I am for peace,

    but when I speak, they are for war!

He closes this psalm in a mild lament. The psalmist is displeased with his neighbors. They are traveling from distant lands, where they were often persecuted. Most scholars agree, however, that Meshech and Kedar here are idiomatic references to “barbarous and hostile people.”[The Pulpit Commentary] “Meshech was a nation of Asia Minor, and Kedar was part of the Syrian desert south of Damascus.” [The Interpreter’s Bible]  Apparently, they were actually pilgrims from such hostile places to join the annual processions to Jerusalem.

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God’s Word for Today

3 Apr 2024

Princes persecute me without cause,

    but my heart stands in awe of your words.

162 I rejoice at your word

    like one who finds great spoil.

163 I hate and abhor falsehood,

    but I love your law.

164 Seven times a day I praise you

    for your righteous rules.

165 Great peace have those who love your law;

    nothing can make them stumble.

166 I hope for your salvation, O LORD,

    and I do your commandments.

167 My soul keeps your testimonies;

    I love them exceedingly.

168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,

    for all my ways are before you.

169 Let my cry come before you, O LORD;

    give me understanding according to your word!

170 Let my plea come before you;

    deliver me according to your word.

171 My lips will pour forth praise,

    for you teach me your statutes.

172 My tongue will sing of your word,

    for all your commandments are right.

173 Let your hand be ready to help me,

    for I have chosen your precepts.

174 I long for your salvation, O LORD,

    and your law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live and praise you,

    and let your rules help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,

    for I do not forget your commandments.

-Psa 119:161-176 ESV

LET MY SOUL LIVE AND PRAISE YOU

His enemies tried to hurt him but he wasn’t hurting inside. 

161Princes persecute me without cause,

    but my heart stands in awe of your words.

162 I rejoice at your word

    like one who finds great spoil.

He keeps himseLf occupied with God’s word. Peace is the result of his discipline of meditating God’s word.

163 I hate and abhor falsehood,

    but I love your law.

164 Seven times a day I praise you

    for your righteous rules.

165 Great peace have those who love your law;

    nothing can make them stumble.

There is a commitment to keep God’s word no matter what his circumstances was.

167 My soul keeps your testimonies;

    I love them exceedingly.

168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,

    for all my ways are before you.

169 Let my cry come before you, O LORD;

    give me understanding according to your word!

170 Let my plea come before you;

    deliver me according to your word.

Again, he expressed his joy, delight and anticipation in God’s word.

171 My lips will pour forth praise,

    for you teach me your statutes.

172 My tongue will sing of your word,

    for all your commandments are right.

173 Let your hand be ready to help me,

    for I have chosen your precepts.

174 I long for your salvation, O LORD,

    and your law is my delight.

He ended this psalm, with the pleading to God’s favor of preserving him. There is always a sense of weakness as a lost sheep who needs a shepherd to look for him.

175 Let my soul live and praise you,

    and let your rules help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,

    for I do not forget your commandments.

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Text: Psalm 119:145-160 (ESV)

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!

I will keep your statutes.

146 I call to you; save me,

that I may observe your testimonies.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I hope in your words.

148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,

that I may meditate on your promise.

149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;

O LORD, according to your justice give me life.

150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;

they are far from your law.

151 But you are near, O LORD,

and all your commandments are true.

152 Long have I known from your testimonies

that you have founded them forever.

153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,

for I do not forget your law.

154 Plead my cause and redeem me;

give me life according to your promise!

155 Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek your statutes.

156 Great is your mercy, O LORD;

give me life according to your rules.

157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

but I do not swerve from your testimonies.

158 I look at the faithless with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands.

159 Consider how I love your precepts!

Give me life according to your steadfast love.

160 The sum of your word is truth,

and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

THE SUM OF YOUR WORD IS TRUTH

In the midst of difficulties, we can hang on and hope in God’s word.[v.145-147]

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!

I will keep your statutes.

146 I call to you; save me,

that I may observe your testimonies.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I hope in your words.

With great expectations, we should saturate our minds with the words of God.[v.148,152-154]

148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,

that I may meditate on your promise.

152 Long have I known from your testimonies

that you have founded them forever.

153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,

for I do not forget your law.

154 Plead my cause and redeem me;

give me life according to your promise!

Ironicallly, his persecutors just drove him nearer to God. [v.149,150-151]

149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;

O LORD, according to your justice give me life.

150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;

they are far from your law.

151 But you are near, O LORD,

and all your commandments are true.

A godly life is far better than wickedness[v.155-158]

155 Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek your statutes.

156 Great is your mercy, O LORD;

give me life according to your rules.

157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

but I do not swerve from your testimonies.

158 I look at the faithless with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands.

He concludes expressing his satisfaction in God alone.[v.159-160]

159 Consider how I love your precepts!

Give me life according to your steadfast love.

160 The sum of your word is truth,

and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

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