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Psalm 131-133

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Psalm 131-133 Book of Psalms Psalms 131-133 Psalms 120-134 are called “songs of degrees” or “songs of ascent.” God’s people sang them as they traveled to Jerusalem for the three sacred feasts (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles). They are called “songs of ascent or degrees” because Jerusalem is about 2,700 feet in elevation. Jewish worshipers sang these jubilant songs as they made their pilgrimage upward to Jerusalem. Four of the songs were written by David (Ps. 122, 124, 131, and 133). Psalm 131 – A Childlike Faith in God The Bible calls us to be childlike in our faith (Matt. 18:3). As a believer matures spiritually, he becomes more childlike in his faith. In the same way a child depends on his parents to meet his needs, we should look to God in simple dependence. 1. A childlike humility before God (vs. 1) David rejects pride, haughtiness, and selfish ambition. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Jas. 4:6). 2. A childlike hush before God (vs. 2) David describes himself as a child who is old enough to be weaned, yet not old enough to care for himself. He has learned to be quietly submissive while relying on God. 3. A childlike hope in God (vs. 3) David urges God’s people to hope in Him. Hope is the assurance that God is working all things for the ultimate good of His people (Rom. 8:28). Steven Lawson comments: “This psalm should be the confession of all believers. Every saint should have a childlike faith in God. But such a trust is never automatic. If it were easy, there would be no need for the instruction of this psalm. Childlike faith must be nurtured” (Holman OT Commentary, Psalms 76-150, 301). Psalm 132 – The Lord’s Resting Place This psalm focuses on God’s house of worship which is described as the place where He rests or resides (vs. 8, 13-14). It is the place where believers gather for worship and the place where God’s glory is on display. For Old Testament believers God’s house was the tabernacle and later the temple. For New Testament saints God’s house is wherever His people meet to worship Him in spirit and truth. Steven Lawson writes: “What makes God’s house so special is not the building or the architectural style or the materials. What truly counts is the spiritual reality of what happens inside that place—the purity of the pulpit, the fidelity of the ministries, and the sincerity of the hearts. This is what makes God’s house a true place of worship” ( Holman OT Commentary, Psalms 76-150, 303). 1. The passion for God’s resting place (vs. 1-5) These verses focus on David fulfilling his vow to God to bring the tabernacle to Jerusalem. 2. The pursuit of God’s resting place (vs. 6-9) The ark was brought from Kirjath Jearim to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6). Verse 9 describes the proper inner clothing for the priests who would oversee the move and the atmosphere of joy among the people. 3. The prayer for God’s resting place (vs. 10-12) These verses focus on God fulfilling His vow to David concerning his throne and his descendants. 4. The prophecy of God’s resting place (vs. 13-18) This section of the psalm looks ahead to the day when Jesus Christ, the son (descendant) of David, will be installed by God as King to rule and bring peace on earth. Zion (vs. 13) refers to earthly Jerusalem. Psalm 133 – A Song of Spiritual Unity This psalm is about unity among God’s people. David understood that unity is priceless because he lived through so much turmoil and strife. He saw the sad consequences of discord in his own family and division within the nation. The history of Israel reveals the need for unity: • Israel needed unity to claim the Promised Land – Moses and the nation were poised at Kadesh-Barnea to enter the land God gave them. Twelve spies were sent to scout the land for forty days. At the end of that period, the report was given, the people were divided, and therefore they failed to claim their land. God’s punishment followed. • Israel was united for a time under Joshua – They claimed their inheritance in Canaan. • Israel lacked unity during the time of judges – The people were self-serving and every man did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 17:6; 21:25). • Israel was a united kingdom under Saul, David, and Solomon – These kings reigned 40 years each for a total of 120 years. Even then there were times of strife and unrest (for example, Absalom’s rebellion under King David). • Israel became a divided kingdom after Solomon’s reign with 10 tribes in the north and 2 tribes in the south. 1. The praise of unity (vs. 1) “Good” means excellent, agreeable. “Pleasant” means sweet. “Brethren” reminds us that this is special unity for God’s children. As members of God’s family we must value Christian unity and make every effort to cultivate and preserve it (Eph. 4:1-3). 2. The pictures of unity (vs. 2-3) A. Unity is like the fragrant oil on Aaron – This refers to Aaron when he was anointed as high priest in Israel (Ex. 29:7; 30:30). As the oil was poured on Aaron’s head it ran down his beard and onto his clothes. Unity affects the whole body and produces a pleasant fragrance. B. Unity is like the refreshing dew on Mt. Hermon – This was the highest mountain in the Middle East (9,232 feet). It was located at the far northern part of the Holy Land and its melting snow was the major water source for the Jordan River. 3. The power of unity (vs. 3b) God commands the blessing wherever His people live together in unity. He gives eternal life and abundant life where unity is found. True Christian Unity: Unity is not uniformity in which everybody looks alike and does the same thing in the same way. True unity allows for diversity. God’s people should be united in four ways: • We should be united in our worship – Psalms 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. • We should be united in our walk – Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? • We should be united in our work – Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. • We should be united in our warfare – Ephesians 6:10-11 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Book of Psalms Psalms 131-133 Psalms 120-134 are called “songs of degrees” or “songs of ascent.” God’s people sang them as they traveled to Jerusalem for the three sacred feasts (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles). They are called “songs of ascent or degrees” because Jerusalem is about 2,700 feet in elevation. Jewish worshipers sang these jubilant songs as they made their pilgrimage upward to Jerusalem. Four of the songs were written by David (Ps. 122, 124, 131, and 133). Psalm 131 – A Childlike Faith in God In the same way a child depends on his parents to meet his needs, we should look to God in simple dependence. 1. A childlike___________________________________ before God (vs. 1) 2. A childlike___________________________________ before God (vs. 2) 3. A childlike___________________________________ in God (vs. 3) Steven Lawson comments: “This psalm should be the confession of all believers. Every saint should have a childlike faith in God. But such a trust is never automatic. If it were easy, there would be no need for the instruction of this psalm. Childlike faith must be nurtured” (Holman OT Commentary, Psalms 76-150, 301). Psalm 132 – The Lord’s Resting Place This psalm focuses on God’s house of worship which is described as the place where He rests or resides (vs. 8, 13-14). It is the place where believers gather for worship and the place where God’s glory is on display. For Old Testament believers God’s house was the tabernacle and later the temple. For New Testament saints God’s house is wherever His people meet to worship Him in spirit and truth. Steven Lawson writes: “What makes God’s house so special is not the building or the architectural style or the materials. What truly counts is the spiritual reality of what happens inside that place—the purity of the pulpit, the fidelity of the ministries, and the sincerity of the hearts. This is what makes God’s house a true place of worship” ( Holman OT Commentary, Psalms 76-150, 303). 1. The__________________________________________ for God’s resting place (vs. 1-5) These verses focus on David fulfilling his vow to God to bring the tabernacle to Jerusalem. 2. The__________________________________________ of God’s resting place (vs. 6-9) The ark was brought from Kirjath Jearim to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6). 3. The________________________________________ for God’s resting place (vs. 10-12) These verses focus on God fulfilling His vow to David concerning his throne and his descendants. 4. The_________________________________________ of God’s resting place (vs. 13-18) This section of the psalm looks ahead to the day when Jesus Christ, the son (descendant) of David, will be installed by God as King to rule and bring peace on earth.
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