Psalm 124-127

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

May 5, 2004

Introduction

We are now in a group of fifteen songs (Ps. 120-134), all of which have this “song of degrees” or “song of ascents” in the title.  We believe these are the songs of the Jewish pilgrims as they made their way up the hill from Jericho to Jerusalem during the annual feasts.

We talked last week about the prophetic potential of these psalms as well.

The Scripture speaks of a time that is coming when the antichrist will rule the world and will begin a huge persecution of the Jewish people, even worse than Hitler. When Jesus returns, He will rescue the nation of Israel and those that have survived the Tribulation and come to trust in Jesus as their Messiah will return to Jerusalem.

(Isa 51:11 KJV) Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
The pilgrims are coming with joy because the Lord would have delivered them from their enemies. I believe this is when the Jews who have been fleeing from the persecution of the antichrist return to Jerusalem to meet King Jesus.
The songs the pilgrims will be singing most likely would include these songs of “degrees”, the pilgrim songs. When you think of the Jews returning from being persecuted by antichrist, there’s a little different flavor to the songs.

Psalm 124

:5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

There are some interesting prophetic connections here.

We mentioned that at the end of the Tribulation the Jews will be returning from a time of great persecution. Here’s something that they’ll have been rescued from:

(Rev 12:14-17 KJV) And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. {15} And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. {16} And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. {17} And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

This takes place during the Tribulation period. God saves Israel from the “flood”, like the “proud waters” in Ps. 124:5.

God is on Israel’s side.

(Isa 63:1-4 KJV) Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. {2} Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? {3} I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. {4} For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

He alone will deliver them.

:1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

Lesson

We have God on our side.

Gideon faced 150,000 Midianites with only 300 men.
God didn’t want Gideon to have more men because God wanted to be sure to get the credit.
David faced Goliath. A small young man faced huge experienced warrior. Goliath had all sorts of weapons, David had a five smooth stones and the help of his God.
(1 Sam 17:45 KJV) Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
Illustration
When Xerxes invaded Greece, he came with an army of 2.6 million men. He started in the north in Macedonia. The southern Greek states needed time to build up an army to face Xerxes. King Leonides came with his 300 men of Sparta and held off the Persian army at mountain pass called Thermopylae long enough for Greece to get ready for the attack.
Charles Spurgeon writes,

When the Spartans marched into battle they advanced with cheerful songs, willing to fight. But when the Persians entered the conflict, you could hear, as the regiments came on, the crack of the whips by which the officers drove the cowards to the fray. You need not wonder that a few Spartans were more than a match for thousands of Persians, that in fact they were like lions in the midst of sheep. So let it be with the church. Never should she need to be forced to reluctant action, but full of irrepressible life, she should long for conflict against everything which is contrary to God. If we were enthusiastic soldiers of the cross we would be like lions in the midst of herds of enemies, and through God's help nothing would be able to stand against us.

God wants us to be like those Spartans, filled with songs, strengthened by Him.
God is for us.
(Rom 8:31-34 KJV) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? {32} He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? {33} Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. {34} Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Psalm 125

Keep in mind that these songs were sung by the pilgrims as they made their way to Jerusalem. Typically, most of the pilgrims would make their way south by walking through the Jordan River valley. Once they made their way to Jericho, they would head west up into the mountains to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was located on the top of Mount Zion.

Jericho is 800 feet below sea level. Jerusalem is 2700 feet above sea level. That’s a 3500 foot climb over 15 miles.

               

The Judean wilderness east of Jerusalem.      Jericho to Jerusalem road

:2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

The people would be coming to Jerusalem and be aware of the hills and mountains. They were having to walk up them to get to Jerusalem.

Mount Zion is not a lone mountain peak. It is surrounded by other mountains.

Lesson

Stability and security

Perhaps it would be like walking through downtown L.A., surrounded by those tall skyscrapers.  God is much bigger than you.
Maybe it would be a little bit like walking through Yosemite Valley, being surrounded by the huge rocks and canyon walls, and then saying that God is like those canyon walls surrounding you.
In reality, He’s bigger than the hills – He’s the one who made the hills.
(Isa 40:12 KJV) Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Some of the kings of Judah learned this principle.
Asa and the Ethiopians
(2 Chr 14:8-13 KJV) And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour. {9} And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. {10} Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. {11} And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. {12} So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. {13} And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
Yet when Asa faced a different enemy later in life …
(2 Chr 16:1-10 KJV) In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. {2} Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, {3} There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me. {4} And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. {5} And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease. {6} Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah. {7} And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. {8} Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. {9} For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. {10} Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.

We need to keep trusting in the Lord, even when we’re strong.  He’s looking for people to help.

Hezekiah and the Assyrians
(2 Chr 32:7-8 KJV) Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: {8} With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
(2 Chr 32:21 KJV) And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.

:3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

Lesson

God knows your limits

The idea is that God will not allow wickedness to affect you in such a way that you will turn from the Lord.
God knows what you can handle and won’t allow you to have more than you can handle.
Illustration
It was due to the efforts of Samuel Plimsoll (1824-98), British reformer, that the Merchant Shipping Act of 1876 was passed, requiring all ships to bear a mark known as the Plimsoll mark and indicating the maximum load line. By this act the Board of Trade of England was empowered to detain any vessel deemed unsafe, and the amount of cargo was restricted, thus making the long and perilous ocean voyage of those days much safer. Because of his work, Plimsoll became known as the sailor’s friend. The Plimsoll mark, with its gradations and figures, may be seen on the bow of ships near the water line as they lie at anchor in a harbor.
In God’s sight, each of us has a similar mark, though we may not be able to see it. The burdens and responsibilities He gives us may seem unbearable, but He knows our limit.

-- William Austin, 1967 Pastor's Annual (Zondervan, 1967), p. 234.

Illustration
Going For The Juggler
A juggler, driving to his next performance, is stopped by the police. “What are these matches and lighter fluid doing in your car?” asks the cop. “I’m a juggler and I juggle flaming torches in my act.” “Oh yeah?” says the doubtful cop. “Lets see you do it.” The juggler gets out and starts juggling the blazing torches masterfully. A couple driving by slows down to watch. “Wow,” says the driver to his wife. “I’m glad I quit drinking. Look at the test they’re giving now!

We might think that God’s tests are all TOO hard.  They’re not.

Paul put it this way:
(1 Cor 10:13 KJV) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
What’s hard is that God seems to think that we can handle a whole lot more than we think.
We yield to temptations or difficulties because we don’t think we can handle any more.
Yet God only allows it in our life because He knows we CAN handle it.
Illustration
A little boy always went next door to play even though his mom had warned him against doing so. This worried the mom so badly that she asked him why he was so disobedient. He replied that Satan tempted him so bad and he did not know what to do. The mom then advised him to say ‘get thee behind me Satan’ whenever he was tempted. She then built a fence around the house. This worked for a week, then one sunny afternoon the mom looked over the window and there was her son playing on the neighbour’s lawn having cut a hole in the fence. “John”, she yelled, “Come here!” She then said “did I not tell you to say ‘get thee behind me Satan’ whenever he tempted you?” “Yes”, the boy replied, “I said, ‘get thee behind me Satan’, then he went behind me and pushed me through the hole in the fence.”

Psalm 126

A Song of degrees.

Some have suggested that Psalm 126 was written by King Hezekiah after Jerusalem was delivered from the Assyrians. I wonder if it might not also have been written after the captivity in Babylon.

:1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion

Again, this could have a prophetic sense, the songs the Jews will sing when Jesus returns.

:4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.

The “south” was the “Negev” desert area. In the dry season the desert has stream beds that have little or no water. When the rainy season hits, these dry creek beds overflow with water. The prayer is for the captives to return like a flood.

:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

There’s an old hymn based on this verse:

“Bringing in the Sheaves”

(2nd verse) Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,
Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Lesson

Don’t stop

God turns tears to joy, but it comes to those who don’t stop sowing seed.
We need to be careful that we don’t stop sowing seed, even if you’re weeping.
(Gal 6:7-10 KJV) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. {8} For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. {9} And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. {10} As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Illustration
Here’s a man sitting on his porch in Kentucky. He’s only recently retired from the post office, and he’s sitting there when his first Social Security check is delivered. He’s very, very discouraged. He thinks to himself, “Is this what life is going to be from now on—sitting on the porch waiting for my check to arrive?”
He decided he wouldn’t settle for that, and so he made a list of all of the things he had going for him all the blessings and the capacities, the unique things that were in him. The list was long because he listed everything he could think of and in the list was the fact that he was the only person on earth who knew his mother’s recipe for fried chicken. It used eleven different herbs and spices.
So he went to a nearby restaurant and asked if he could cook the chicken, and they said yes. It soon became the most popular item on the menu. So he opened his own restaurant, and then others, and a string of restaurants. Eventually Harland Sanders sold the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise across all of America.
He finally retired a second time (all this happened, you remember, after he had retired from the postal service), and he continued in the service of the company as a public relations representative for a quarter of a million dollars a year till his death. Now here was a man who did not allow himself to be defeated by discouragement. He took a look at it recognized it was there, but then went on to look at what he had with which to deal with it and used that.

-- Bruce Thielemann, "Dealing with Discouragement," Preaching Today, Tape No. 48.

What’s the seed we need to keep sowing?

Good deeds.  God’s Word.  The gospel.
Don’t stop sowing, even when it’s tough.

Psalm 127

We looked at this last Sunday.