© Ray Fowler. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. And not just prayer during the good times. “Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! This is a journey that begins with our conversion, that ends with heaven, and in between we follow every day and every week of our lives. These 15 Psalms are traditionally thought to have been used by the people of God as they made their way up to the temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast each year. It’s meant to drag you down. Call on the Lord in times of trouble (1-2), First of all, we learn that we should call on the Lord in times of trouble. – Proverbs 26:27; Jeremiah 9:8; James 3:6. The Psalms begin here in Psalm 120 on a discordant note, and as Eugene Peterson said, this demonstrates the homesickness of those who have settled among strangers and aliens. We long to be with Christ. Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. Proverbs 26:27 says: “If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.” (Proverbs 26:27) In other words, a man reaps what he sows. The home worship service guide follows the same rhythms of that week’s live service. As we work our way through these psalms and all that they teach us about our relationship with God, you will see that the Psalms of Ascent really serve as stepping stones along the way. The second application is this: know that God will judge the wicked. In this distress, he sought God by fervent prayer. 2, G. A. F. Knight, The St. Andrew Press, Edinburgh, p. 278). Jerusalem in the Bible represents the city of God, the place of the temple, the place where God chose to dwell and to meet with his people. Hello and welcome to RayFowler.org. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Do you long for peace in the midst of this world? For any web postings, please link to the sermon directly at this website. Arrows and fire: a warrior’s sharp arrows and the burning coals of the broom tree. Sign In. What is the true nature of the non-Christians around us, and how do we deal with them? Psalm 120 is the first of these Psalms and it is a psalm about praying in times of trouble. James 5:13 tells us plainly: “Is any one of you in trouble? And so that’s the second application we learn from this Psalm. In fact the starting point for our journey to God is always discontent with this world and what it has to offer. And the fact that they are a warrior’s sharp arrows speaks of the skill and the accuracy of the one who draws the bow. And in the midst of a hostile world, the Christian longs for peace. The world is opposed to God’s truth. This section, beginning with Psalm 120 and stretching through Psalm 134, is joined under that idea reflected in its name — “to ascend.” It means to step up or come out, and in the wider context of the psalter, these psalms envision the day when Israel comes out of their foreign exile. This collection includes Psalm 120 - 134 -- fifteen in all. – Psalm 120:1-2 Passage: Psalm 120 & 121 Psalm 120. Now you'll notice these psalms have a heading. and Johnny Hart, The Psalms of Ascent – Stepping Stones to God’s Heart, A Theology of Google, Facebook, Amazon and Twitter. God can bridle their tongues. You can watch the online worship service on Sunday morning together, or lead your own worship service using the home worship resources we provide. The Songs of Ascent are a special group of psalms comprising Psalms 120—134. 1 I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. God’s judgment is appropriate and just. The word “save” here means “to deliver or rescue, to snatch away.” The psalmist is surrounded by liars and he asks God to deliver him. A song of ascents. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20) This world is not our home. Sermons on Psalm 121 Select one: A Pilgrim's Journey (Psalms 120:1-7)(Psalms 121:1-8)(Psalms 122:1-9) My Help Comes From the Lord (Psalms 121:1-8) See all sermons on Psalms SermonAudio.com - Psalm 120 Sermons. Let’s read Psalm 120 together: In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. It is only found in Jesus Christ. Have you ever been lied about? Why not start the journey with a happy song? I. A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! Commentary for Psalms 120 . They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” (John 17:14-16), B. Click here for more messages from the book of Psalms. Psalm 121:1-8 Where Does Your Help Come From? (See The Daily Study Bible, Psalms, Vol. We get tired of this world and living in the ways of the world, and so we begin our journey of drawing closer to God and his ways. We read in Jeremiah 9:8: “Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit.” (Jeremiah 9:8) And we read in James 3:6: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.” (James 3:6) And so we see that the tongue in Scripture is compared negatively to both arrows and fire. There were three main feasts in Jerusalem each year: the Feast of Passover in the spring; the Feast of Pentecost in the summer; and the Feast of Tabernacles which took place at harvest time in the fall. We don’t always fit. C. The Christian longs for peace in the midst of a hostile world There are fifteen of them, Psalms 120-134, and if you look in your Bible, you will notice that they all share this common inscription: “A song of ascents.” The word “ascents there is a word that means “steps” or “going up.”, One of the reasons they are called Psalms of Ascent is because these are psalms that were sung by Jews traveling to Jerusalem for the three annual feasts. You are in great anguish because you don’t see any way out. And if you’re not homesick for heaven, then perhaps you need to consider whether heaven is truly your home. And you might wonder why the Psalms of Ascent would begin with a song about trouble. God’s people have always been a singing people and a worshiping people, and God gave us these psalms to help us give expression to the feelings in our heart as we worship him in prayer and song. Do you take it out on others? Can’t you just hear it in Psalm 120? Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. One day this land will be returned to him but until th It’s brief, concrete and straightforward; plus, it gives us specific direction as to what God would have us … The world is opposed to God and his ways. Chapter 120 This psalm is the first of those fifteen which are here put together under the title of "songs of degrees.’’ It is well that it is not material what the meaning of that title should be, for nothing is offered towards the explication of it, no, not by the Jewish writers themselves, but what is conjectural. Our home is in another place. Many of us memorized it as children in Sunday School. This is what you truly desire in your heart of hearts – to meet with God and to know the beauty of his presence. "What shall be given unto thee? And then finally, 3) Know that you do not belong to the world. May every good man be delivered from lying lips. Well, that’s what the deceitful tongue gets in return. As a Christian you are called to be different from the world. If you are new here, be sure to subscribe by email or feed reader so that you don't miss any future posts. 3) Know that you do not belong to the world. Sermon Psalm 100:1-5 A Matter of Gratitude. Back to Sermon on Psalm. And apart from God there may be no way out. His attitude is the same as that of the psalmist in Psalm 42: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. I suspect it has been for you, as well. What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue? What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? You can be certain that he will not miss. Psalm 120 shows us the best way. Check out these helpful resources Biblical Commentary Sermons Children’s Sermons Hymn Lists. It hurts, doesn’t it? I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Yes, in this world you will have trouble, but remember Psalm 120 teaches you to call on the Lord in times of trouble. In this world you will have trouble. And the reason why is simple and yet at the same time so remarkable. Jesus said in John 4:24: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) These deceitful lies are the exact opposite of the atmosphere of truthful worship that God calls us to and the psalmist so desires. Cry out to him. – John 16:23-24; James 5:13. Do you complain? It’s very painful. Never take that for granted. Contributed by Rodney Johnson on Oct 30, 2020. Psalm 122:1 A Song of degrees of David. But they are also called Psalms of Ascent because the psalms themselves have an upward motion. This psalm teaches us to express our frustration and anger and sadness to God and to look to him as the one who gives us hope and strength for the journey. The Psalms of Ascent are all about going to meet with God, to worship him in the beauty of his presence. I do not give to you as the world gives. In preparation for worship, spend some time slowly reading through the Psalm, meditating on it and try to put it in your own words as you pray it back to God. It means that we are pilgrims on a journey. Words in boxes are from the Bible. Take it to the cross of Jesus and leave it up to God to handle. May we see how this, which is the introductory psalm to those fourteen which follow, styled Songs of Degrees, hath a concern with our Lord Jesus Christ; and that David the son of Jesse was in many … First of all God’s judgment is appropriate and just. The Psalms of Ascent | Stepping Stones to God’s Heart, “Praying in Times of Trouble” (Psalm 120), “I call on the Lord in my distress.” (Psalm 120:1), INTRODUCTION: Today is the first day of the New Year and between now and Easter we will be studying a special group of psalms in the Bible called the Psalms of Ascent. Have you ever been lied to? Because as Christians we also are on a journey – not on a literal journey to Jerusalem, of course, but rather a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage of the heart. And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore. Psalm 120 will have the psalmist rising to the Lord. This is what you have been looking for all your life. We are pilgrims on a journey, strangers in a strange land. Don't have an account? But take heart! As Christians we don’t belong here. This time let's turn in our Bibles to Psalm 120 to begin our Bible study this evening. And then finally, the Christian longs for peace in the midst of a hostile world. “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.” (Psalm 120:1), (Prayer by Samuel Cox: “God of peace, grant me Thy peace as I worship in Thy presence; and let me find a bettered world when I come back to it, or, at least, bring a bettered and more patient heart to its duties and strifes.”). Pray for those who persecute you. Psalm 123:1 A Song of degrees. We desire first and foremost to be with God and to meet with him. "Serve the Lord with gladness" (Psa. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:19), And even though we may not feel comfortable living in the world, this is exactly the place where God has chosen for us to live out our Christian faith in obedience to him and as a witness to others. He pays attention to you. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:23-24). Intro: The superscription to this Psalm tells us that it is a "Song of Degrees." We are to be in the world, but not of the world. A person has to be thoroughly disgusted with the way things are to find the motivation to set out on the Christian way. Cry out for him to save you (ex. Render honor to God. Dr. Philip W. McLarty. If so, that’s what these Psalms of Ascent are all about. May every good man be delivered from … Favoriting is a great way to keep a list of sermons, programs, and ministry resources in your account. The Bible urges you as a Christian to pursue peace in every aspect of your life. Click here for more messages from the Psalms of Ascent Series. Dr. Philip W. McLarty. Or do you pray? Psalm 100 ranks second only to the 23rd Psalm in popularity. It works everywhere you sign in, even with the mobile app! Psalm 120 begins the wonderful little collection in the back of the Psalms called the Psalms of Ascent. But now here in Psalm 130 the greater concern is dwelling with my own sin! ◄ Psalm 120:2 ► Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue. And so that’s our first application from this Psalm. Exodus 34:7 says: “God does not leave the guilty unpunished.” (Exodus 34:7) And that means when you are attacked by others, you do not need to attack back. We read a similar word of judgment in Psalm 64: “They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows. The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:20: “But our citizenship is in heaven. It was known for its exceptionally hard wood that produced extremely hot charcoal that retained its heat for a long time. As Christians we are homesick for heaven. Gordon Churchyard. In … The Christian gets tired of living in the world (see Exodus 3:14-16; Deuteronomy 16:16 for descriptions of the three feasts), Of course, the big one of all these feasts was the Passover. So Psalm 120 starts our journey by teaching us about how we should respond to God in times of trouble. 5-7 I’m doomed to live in Meshech, cursed with a home in Kedar,My whole life lived camping among quarreling neighbors.I’m all for peace, but the minute I tell them so, they go to war! They begin with the believer crying out to God in trouble far away from Jerusalem, and they end with believers offering up praise to God in his temple courts. My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:1-2) This is what you were made for. 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