Untitled Sermon (3)

Psalm 125:title ESV

A Song of Ascents.

What are the Songs of Ascent?

Begins from Ps120

It is more likely that the songs were sung in the three annual festival processions, as the pilgrims “ascended” (ʿ-l-h) to Jerusalem (cf. ; ), hence the designation “songs of ascents” (maʿalôṯ).

Verse 1

Those who trust in the Lord => Christ, who trusted in God til death.

Peter was no rock. But he became a rock because of Christ.

How did Peter understand Jesus’ words? He answers that question in , where he insists that the rock upon which the church or any individual Christian is to build is Jesus Christ. He does not suggest even for a moment that he is himself the rock. Peter must have understood Jesus’ words to him as a contrast, meaning, You are Peter (Peter means “a little stone”), but on this rock (that is, Jesus Christ himself) I will build my church. Peter learned that Jesus is the only possible foundation for a sure and stable life, and Peter wanted to be built on him.

Peter meant that rejecting God’s anointed Messiah is no small matter. It has a fatal consequence, which is to fall down spiritually, or be lost forever.

Verse 2: God surrounds us

The story of Prophet Elijah

“Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” It is not that Christians have no enemies. We do. Nor that we have no reasons to feel insecure. There are many things to make us feel insecure. Still God is for us—under us as a sure foundation and about us to defend us from our enemies and all other causes for anxiety. (Boice)

Verse 3

The middle of the psalm stresses that the Lord intends to protect his city, not simply from enemies without (v. 2) but from enemies within: the scepter of wickedness is kingly power held by Israelites who do not serve God and his people (the righteous).

Think about the OT kings and how they have led the people to the wickedness.

Christians rejoice that God raised Jesus to the throne of David in keeping with this principle, and pray that leaders in their churches (and in their nations) would model themselves after Jesus

The promise

In the largest scheme of things it is a reminder of Christ’s return, when the wicked will be judged, their works destroyed, and the people of God be established in the heavenly city of God, which will endure forever.

Verse 4-5

Prayer: God please show us that your words are the truth (vindication of God’s words)

We have a good God, and we can ask him to be good to us and to others who know and love him too. The apostle Paul expressed this boldly when he wrote, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” ().

Warning: Not everyone is rigtheous just because they are in the camp of God.