Psalms of Ascent

Psalms 120-134

Psalm 120 – A cry for truth and peace

Psalm 129-Protection of the Oppressed

He’s a foreigner to this land, and there are false accusations brought against him.

He lacks the power to do anything about it himself.

We probaby feel like that right now in our lives?

Some of you may even feel like verse 4 is what you would like to happen – read verse 4

I like what the studies author says – read bottom paragraph on pg 68

Matthew 5:38–48 ESV

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

When was the last time you wanted “PEACE” because of restoration and salvation. Not because you wanted quiet or lack of war or just to stop fighting, or because you wanted revenge,

but peace.

Do you view your relationship with your spouse that way?

Or church members?

Or boss?

Or government officials?

Psalm 121-The Lord Our Protector

This is a Psalm of Trust.

(ask crowd)

Who trust well?

Is there a difference between trusting God and having common sense?

Wheres the line?

We saw this on the mission trip.

I sent some groups out to prayer walk, having never seen that area before. The guy there said it was good, so i didnt think to question it.

Some of the ladies would have had to walk along a major road without sidewalks to get to their neighborhood to walk.

They ended up driving over to the neighborhood and prayed that way.

My conversation with the leader that questioned me about it was, sometimes we have to have faith.

So who was right? Well i think the leader and the team was. I couldn't see with my eyes what they were walking into, and they could. It was good stewardship and common sense to not do something ignorant and get hurt or be in danger.

Unfortunately as christians in the south, a lot of times, our first impulse is to safety and comfort, not trust in the Lord.

Write this Psalm down if you struggle with overcoming fear!!!!

Psalm 122-A prayer for Jerusalem.

Heres my first thought about this Psalm - skip it because God doesnt dwell in “houses” anymore, he dwells in our heart.

But heres what this Psalm is really about-the presence of God.

as we have a joy for Jesus, two things start to happen.

A joy to meet with his people

A joy to meet with God.

These things are intertwined.

When was the last time you prayed for verse 7-9?

Let’s stop right now and do that

(Get someone to pray for peace at west heights)

Psalm 123-126 are all asking for God to protect and provide

Ill give you the overall titles.

Psalm 123-Looking for God’s Favor

Psalm 124-The Lord is on our side

Psalm 125-Israels stability

Psalm 126-Zions restoration

Israel was in a desperate situation where they werent sure where God was, they couldnt see what he was doing.

Then they are restored for his glory and their good.

(ask) What was a time you remember where it seemed hopeless and you couldnt see what God was doing, but then God restored everything?

for 127 and 128, they are similar

Psalm 127-The blessing of the Lord

Psalm 128-Blessings for those who fear God

as middle class americans, this one is tough for us.

The psalm doesnt dismiss hard work.

In our personal lives and in our church life, we have to work hard toward the goals of providing for our families and doing the work of the great commission.

He even says, its a good thing to have kids.

Back then, having lots of kids would have gotten the work done.

But is it all our hard work?

Do we really believe verse 1 and 2?

(ask)

What are some signs that we do not believe it?

greediness, possessiveness (this is mine), statements like i dont need anyone to help me out, i should be able to take care of this on my own, its no ones business, this is my church,

read the circled paragraph in middle of page 71

Psalm 129-Protection of the Oppressed

Not going to cover since its similar to the notes for Psalm 120 at the beginning.

Psalm 130-Awaiting Redemption

This is the gospel.

Many times we believe that the Old Testament is about animal sacrifice to appease God until Jesus comes as the final sacrifice in the New Testament.

While there is some truth there, there is faith in the OT.

There is an understanding of grace found here.

This is why the book of Romans along with many of Paul’s writings are so based on the book of Psalms.

Its a book of God’s grace and mercy!!!

Does your salvation experience mimic verses 3-5? (read it again)

If you are here tonight and you believe that you just need to do enough to go to heaven, its not enough.

If you are here tonight and you believe that you’ve done too much to be forgiven, thats a lie from the pits of hell.

Verse 4- read it again.

Hes not doing it for your sake, hes doing it for his fame. Saving sinners when they dont deserve it.

Psalm 131-A childlike spirit

We seem to have a tendency to do two things with this thinking

(dont be harsh in my tone)

two wrong responses

See, i need to stop thinking and have faith

Say trying to understand the bible is too big a task and im not a deep thinker, so ill leave thinking about God to smarter people. - this means we never spend time trying to know God from scripture.

Doesnt have to be an academic pursuit.

I can live in my culture without knowing about God.

We dont apply the same logic to figuring out things in life. - this means we are trying to understand our lives and our culture without understanding who God is.

This is a recipe for disaster. Trying to live in a foreign land with no concept of who we are or who God is.

This is why we are really good at earthly things, wood or metal working, animals, cars, decorating, helping others

but not so good at things like speaking biblically into culture or even sharing the gospel with someone.

This psalm goes back to knowing God brings a life of faith and peace in our hearts. That type of life will do well to do the things above.

Psalm 132-David and Zion Chosen

Use the book p. 73 to go through this-

David wants to build it, God wants to build it for David.

The take home is in the bold print.

This is probably the best news of the story from John 4 about the woman at the well.

Psalm 133-Living in Harmony

Psalm 134-Call to Evening Worship

These two work together.

heres what i take from them.

2 prayers

Brothers (all of us) will dwell in harmony

Psalm 133:1

2. We will always want to worship God together

a. Psalm 134:1-2

(ask)

will someone pray for that?