Psalm 125 – is the suggested Psalm for this coming Sunday. This
psalm speaks of Israel’s peace in testimony, prayer, and benediction. Bible
scholars believe it was written after the exile when those held in Babylonian
captivity were allowed to return to the Jewish homeland.
This psalm was most likely prayed as part of the
liturgy in the Jewish worship service. Thus, the Psalms we pray in worship
reach back into the Old Testament. Through the centuries, our prayers have
remained constant. Literally, for thousands of years, God’s people have uttered
this same prayer. This links us to generations past present and future. In an
age when we are tempted to cater to specific age brackets the psalms unite us
linking and connecting us throughout the generations of time.
The psalmist assures us—“For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to
the righteous.” – V.3 From the beginning, a gracious and all-powerful Ruler
was designed for his people; David’s ‘greater
Son,’ the Lord Jesus Christ. The rule of those who preceded him would never
“rest” on the land. Only his rule will continue forever.
This is our security and our destiny toward which we
look with rich expectation. We are cared for with the secure protection of the
city of Jerusalem which is surrounded by mountains. We have the certainty of a
righteous Ruler forever.
We can see why this psalm was chosen for this
compilation of the psalms of ascent. As the pilgrim worshipers made their way
to Jerusalem from almost any place within the land of Palestine, the journeyed
up increasingly higher ground. They felt the same awe we feel in the presence
of the majestic mountains. And they sang this song to remind themselves that
what they saw around them pictures in graphic ways the security and
significance that they have in the LORD.
Lord surround
your people with your presence. Do not let us stretch out our hands to evil
deeds, not be destroyed by the snares of the enemy, but bring us to share the
land prepared for the saints in light, where you love and reign, God, now and
forever.[1]
[1]Collect for Psalm 125 For All the Saints A Prayer Book
For and by the Church, Vol. II copyright © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity
Bureau, Delhi, NY
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