A Journey of Worship Psalm 128 129

A Journey of Worship: Psalm 128-129

9/12/2023

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.

“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in His ways!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor
of your hands; you shall be blessed,
and it shall be well with you.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.

The Lord bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!
May you see your children's children!
Peace be upon Israel!” Psalm 128

Psalm 128: Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord

Psalm 128 beautifully illustrates the blessings of fearing the Lord and walk in His ways. These blessings are profound! This Psalm offers timeless wisdom. It showcases the fruitful life that results from obeying God's commands. Today, let's explore the powerful message of Psalm 128. Let's reflect on its insights into the blessings that await those who fear the Lord. Let's dive in and discover the keys to experiencing God's abundant goodness in our lives.

Verse 1-2—The Path to Blessing: "Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you."

The psalmist highlights here the connection between fearing the Lord and God's blessings. The fear of the Lord is not about being afraid but rather having reverence for Him. It's about respect, and obedience towards Him. When we align our lives with God's ways, we open ourselves to His abundant blessings. He has these blessings waiting for us, friend! All we have to do is follow Him, fear Him, obey Him. This blessing includes the soul satisfaction of enjoying the fruits of our labor. It also includes the heart assurance that all will be well with us.

Verse 3-4—Blessings in Family Life: "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord."

Here, the psalmist highlights blessings that come within the context of family life. Those who fear the Lord will experience these blessings. The imagery of a fruitful vine and olive shoots symbolizes abundance. This abundance and vitality found in a thriving family is a wellspring of life. When a household is founded on the fear of the Lord, it becomes a place of love, unity, and spiritual growth. And what's even better? These blessings extend to the next generation! This ensures a legacy of faith and blessings for generations to come.

Verse 5-6—Praying for the Prosperity of Jerusalem: "The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!"

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In these final verses, the psalmist prays for the blessings of God's favor. He also prays for the prosperity upon the reader—that you! The mention of Jerusalem symbolizes the spiritual and communal well-being of God's people. It expresses a desire for the flourishing of the community. This community includes both the present and future generations. The Psalm concludes with a prayer for peace. This prayer acknowledges that true blessings extend beyond individual lives. True blessing encompass the wider community. Psalm 128 reminds us that the fear of the Lord is the pathway to a blessed and fulfilling life. As we reverence God and walk in His ways, we position ourselves to experience His blessings. This abundant blessing flows into every aspect of our lives. We are assured of His provision. The joys of fruitful family relationships come from a relationship grounded in Him. The peace that comes from being part of a thriving community of believers is also a part of His blessing. May we embrace the wisdom of Psalm 128 and cultivate a deep reverence for the Lord. Let's commit to walking in His ways. Let's do this knowing that we open ourselves to a life of purpose, fulfillment, and His divine goodness. As we fear the Lord and align our lives with Him, may we experience the blessings that flow. These blessings flow from a life lived in accord with Him. May our families thrive, communities flourish, and the peace of God be upon us all.

“’Greatly have they afflicted me
from my youth’—let Israel now say--
‘Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth,
yet they have not prevailed against me.
The plowers plowed upon my back;
they made long their furrows.’
The Lord is righteous;
He has cut the cords of the wicked.
May all who hate Zion
be put to shame and turned backward!
Let them be like the grass on the housetops,
which withers before it grows up,
with which the reaper does not fill his hand
nor the binder of sheaves his arms,
nor do those who pass by say,
‘The blessing of the Lord be upon you!
We bless you in the name of the Lord!’” Psalm 129

Psalm 129: They Have Afflicted Me from My Youth

Psalm 129 offers a powerful testament to the enduring faith God's people. Even in the face of relentless affliction they are resilient. This Psalm reflects on the historical struggles of Israel. It recounts the afflictions they endured throughout their journey. Sometimes we too are called to endure affliction. Today, we will explore the profound message of Psalm 129. We will discover how it speaks to our own experiences of hardship and persecution. Let's uncover the themes of perseverance, justice, and triumph embedded within this Psalm.

Verse 1-3—Affliction and Resilience: "'Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth'—let Israel now say— 'Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.'"

These opening verses reveal the historical struggles and afflictions experienced by Israel. However, despite enduring great adversity and persecution, they remained steadfast in their faith. The imagery of plowers and furrows depicts the intensity of their suffering. Yet, in the face of these afflictions, Israel emerges undefeated. It is a testament to their resilience and the unwavering presence of God in their midst.

Verse 4-8—The Righteousness of God: "The Lord is righteous; He has cut the cords of the wicked. May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward! Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up, with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms, nor do those who pass by say, 'The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord!'"

In these verses, the psalmist proclaims the righteousness of God. He also writes of God's intervention on behalf of His people. The cords of the wicked are severed, and those who hate Zion are destined for shame and defeat. The imagery of withering grass signifies the fleeting nature of the enemies' power. It is a reminder to us that God's justice will prevail. The oppressors will ultimately be brought to naught.

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Psalm 129 teaches us profound lessons about endurance and justice. It also addresses the triumph of faith in the face of affliction. This Psalm reminds us that even in the most trying circumstances, we can find hope in God. Just as Israel faced unrelenting persecution and remained faithful, we can too. We can trust our faithful God. We can rest in His unfailing presence in our lives.

When we encounter afflictions, whether personal challenges or societal injustices, let's be faithful. Let's hold firm to our faith in God. Let's remember that God is with us. He is cutting the cords of the wicked and bringing about justice in His perfect timing. Our adversaries may seem powerful, but their influence is transient. In God's timing they will wither away.

As we navigate the difficulties of life, let us draw inspiration from the resolve of Israel. Let us, like them, be unwavering! May we find rest in the assurance that, through it all, God's righteousness will prevail. Let us press on, knowing that our faith, resilience, and trust in the Lord will lead us to triumph. In the name of the Lord, may blessings abound, and may we be a source of blessing to others.

How will you pray the Songs of Ascent today?

Read the next post in this series A Journey of Worship: Psalm 130.

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

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4 Comments

Donna Reidland link

9/12/2023 10:10:07 am

I've been spending more time in the Psalms this year and have been so blessed by slowing down and realizing just how like us the psalmists were.

Patsy Burnette link

9/12/2023 11:53:04 am

That's wonderful to read, Donna!! The Psalms have a unique way of connecting us with the emotions and experiences of the psalmists, making them timeless and relatable.

I often wonder, when people say the Old Testament isn't relevant, if they've ever read the Psalms?

It's a beautiful journey to slow down and find ourselves in their words.

Amy Johnson link

9/13/2023 08:12:12 am

Thank you for the party. I'm always looking for new link ups to join as so many are going away nowadays. I linked up a combo craft/lifestyle post. Please don't disregard it as my grandson is opening his "Armor of God" birthday gift and is so excited to receive it. In the second video of the post he recites all the pieces of the Armor of God and what they mean.

9/13/2023 02:20:34 pm

You're so very welcome, Amy!! We're thrilled you enjoyed the link-up, and it's fantastic to hear about your craft and lifestyle post, especially with your grandson's "Armor of God" birthday gift. Your grandson's enthusiasm sounds heartwarming! Hope you'll stop by next week to join the link-up then as well. :)

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