sermon sept 22 2024

Psalm 122

Psalm 122 NIV

A song of ascents. Of David. I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. That is where the tribes go up— the tribes of the Lord— to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel. There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.

—> United in Worship

—>

Psalm 122:1–2 NIV

I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.

—> How excited are we about going to church? about gathering for worship?

—> our author is pretty excited.

—> “I rejoiced” for the opportunity

—> and now we are here…in the place of worship.

—> There is a big difference between our idea of worship now and what are Psalmist is writing about.

—> for most Jews they were lucky to make it to Jerusalem (the only place for proper worship) for the the big 3 festivals.

—> Passover

—> Feast of Booths

—> Feast of Weeks

—> we get to come together for worship at least once every week and more if we choose.

Psalm 122:3–5 NIV

Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. That is where the tribes go up— the tribes of the Lord— to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel. There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

—> The Psalmist compares how the people should act and feel to the actual layout and construction of the city.

—> Worship should be unifying

—> worship should bring us together in all areas

—> worship unifies us because at its heart it has nothing to do with us.

—> If God is the object of our worship the things that typically divide us shouldn’t matter.

—> place

—> preferences

—> pride

—> I saw an interview the other day with a famous Christian author and he was talking about worship and how ridiculous the statement is “well worship wasn’t very good today” or “I didn’t like worship this Sunday”

Psalm 122:6–9 NIV

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.

—> pray for our places of worship

—> pray for the times we come together to worship

—> The Psalmist is praying for the outmost good/ God’s greatest good for Jerusalem and all who come to worship. He prays for peace and security.

—> Why?

—> Because when we are at peace and secure we are totally free to worship.

—> Which is why we were created.