A Journey of Worship: Psalm 123-124

​A Journey of Worship:
​The Psalms of Ascent

In ancient times, the Israelites took journeys to the temple in Jerusalem to worship. These were sacred occasions during yearly festivals. Their journeys included singing the Songs of Ascent, a collection of Psalms 120-134. These songs reminded them of God's grace and mercy. They also reminded them of His provision, protection, and salvation. These reminders were especially comforting during challenging times. 

Today, our places of worship are much closer, but we can still learn from this ancient practice. We still need to be reminded of God's goodness and these 15 Psalms do just that!

​Read more about A Journey of Worship: The Psalms of Ascent Bible Study here.

GRAB YOUR COPY OF A JOURNEY OF WORSHIP: THE PSALMS OF ASCENT HERE

In this 3-part Bible study, A Journey of Worship: The Psalms of Ascent,  we'll take a deep dive into each of these 15 Psalms. The study offers comfort, calm, and hope for the various situations we face.

As pilgrims on the journey of life, we find courage in God's strength as we seek His guidance. We look forward to our ultimate destination of eternal worship of the One true God. This is our journey of worship!

Join me today as we dive into A Journey of Worship.

“To You I lift up my eyes,
O You who are enthroned in the heavens!
Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till He has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
Our soul has had more than enough
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.” Psalm 123

​Psalm 123: Our Eyes Look to the Lord Our God

Psalm 123 beautifully expresses the posture of humility. Humility is evidenced as we lift our eyes in our dependence on the Lord our God. Today, let's explore the profound message of this Psalm. Let's reflect on the significance of looking to God for mercy and finding rest in His presence. Let's dive into the timeless wisdom of Psalm 123 and discover how it speaks to our hearts today.

Verse 1-2—Lifting our Eyes to the Lord: "To You, I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till He has mercy upon us."

The psalmist begins by acknowledging God's exalted position. He is the One enthroned in the heavens—the One, true God. The psalmist then draws a picture of a vivid parallel. The eyes of servants are ever watchful for the direction and provision of their masters. Equally, our eyes should be ever watchful for direction and provision from the Lord our God. This imagery highlights our posture of humility. It emphasizes our dependence on God. We humble ourselves as we fix our gaze on Him, longing for His mercy to be poured out upon us.

Verse 3-4—Desperate for God's Mercy: "Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud."

In these verses, the psalmist pleads for God's mercy. He recognized the desperate need for God's intervention. He expresses the weariness of enduring contempt and scorn from those who live in pride. The psalmist's words resonate with us in moments when we feel overwhelmed. When we are crushed by the challenges of this life, let's cry out for God's mercy to rescue us from the trials we face. Come BOLDLY to Him, friend!

download today's prayer

Psalm 123 reminds us of the humility and dependence we should have as we lift our eyes to the Lord our God. It is an acknowledgment of our need for His mercy in a world that often brings contempt and scorn. Just as servants look to the hand of their masters, we fix our gaze on God, trusting in His compassion and grace.

In times of struggle and discouragement, we find hope in the assurance that God's mercy is available to us. His grace is new EVERY morning! As we lift our eyes to Him, we invite His divine intervention into our lives, trusting that He will come to our aid. Remember, even in the face of contempt and pride, there is strength in the mercy of our Heavenly Father.

May we cultivate a posture of humility and dependence on the Lord our God. May we constantly lift our eyes to Him. Let's seek His mercy and find comfort in His presence. As we navigate the challenges of life, may the words of Psalm 123 resonate within us. May they be a reminder that our hope rests in the compassionate and loving hands of our faithful God.

“If it had not been the Lord Who
was on our side—let Israel now say—if it had not been
the Lord Who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped!

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made Heaven and earth.” Psalm 124

Psalm 124: Our Help Is in the Name of the Lord

Psalm 124 echoes a resounding message of gratitude and reliance on the Lord. This gratitude and reliance are for deliverance and protection. Today, let's explore the profound truths found in this Psalm. Let's reflect on the unwavering presence of God in times of adversity. Let's dive into the timeless wisdom of Psalm 124 and discover comfort and strength. That comfort and strength come from placing our trust in the name of the Lord.

Verse 1-5—The Lord Our Deliverer: "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—let Israel now say—if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters."

​The psalmist begins by acknowledging the Lord's active presence in their lives. He reflects on the countless times when the enemy threatened to overwhelm them. No doubt one of these times would have been at the Red Sea. But God intervened and delivered them from destruction. The imagery of a raging flood symbolizes challenges that could have consumed them. Do you ever feel as if you are in a raging flood, friend? Through this vivid description, we are reminded of God's awesome power. We see His sovereignty over any circumstance that seeks to overcome us.

Verse 6-8—Gratitude for Deliverance: "Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made Heaven and earth."

In these verses, the psalmist expresses deep gratitude for the Lord's faithfulness. He praises God for deliverance. He acknowledges that without God, they would have been prey to their enemies. The imagery of escaping like a bird from a snare emphasizes freedom. This type of liberation can only come from God's intervention. He is a rescuer and a refuge! The psalmist declares his declaration of trust in the name of the Lord. The psalmist has unwavering confidence in the power of the Creator of Heaven and earth. His Creator has the power to save!

download today's prayer

Psalm 124 serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate help and deliverance come from God. Our protection in the face of overwhelming circumstances comes from God. Like Israel, we have countless reasons for gratitude. We too can declare with thanksgiving that if it had not been for God, we would be consumed by the trials of this life.

In times of adversity, we can find rest in knowing that God is our Refuge and Deliverer. He is the One who breaks the snares that entangle us and offers us freedom. Let's take comfort in this truth. Our help is not found in our own strength. It's not found in the devices of this world but in the name of the Lord, the Creator of Heaven and earth. As we face challenges and uncertainties, let's remember the faithfulness of God. Throughout history and in our own lives we have seen it. May the words of Psalm 124 inspire us to trust in the name of the Lord and find refuge in His loving care. In Him, we discover unwavering help. In Him, there is the deliverance that enables us to overcome any obstacle—but not just to overcome. We overcome and we walk in the confidence of His presence.

How will you pray the ​Songs of Ascent today?

Read the next post in this series A Journey of Worship: Psalm 125.

A Journey of Worship: The Psalms of Ascent Prayer Guide

Each chapter of A Journey of Worship includes a thoughtfully-curated prayer. I love praying Scripture, and I believe you will as well. You can instantly download all 15 prayers from our Etsy site. ​

GRAB YOUR COPY OF A JOURNEY OF WORSHIP PRAYER GUIDE HERE

---

Thanks for joining the InstaEncouragements weekly Christian link-up! We would really appreciate it if you would grab this IE link-up button, place it on your blog, and link back to this post. Thanks! Have an awesome week! 

If you're new to link-ups, checkout our IE LINK-UP page for a brief explanation and a list of other link-ups to participate in!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

---