The of Ascent – Psalms 120-134

Series: Getting Up Going Up! Garrison COG The theme of each psalm of ascent: Ps. 120 is a recognition of the impact that living in a sinful world has on our attitudes. Ps 121 is a recognition of the LORD’s trustworthy nature. Ps 122 reflects the joy of being in God’s presence. Ps 123 is a commitment to follow the LORD even when facing intimidation. Ps. 124 celebrates God’s deliverance in our circumstances. Ps. 125 expresses confidence in God’s protection and justice. Ps. 126 celebrates victory over suffering. Ps. 127 reminds us that God is the author of all blessings. Ps. 128 reflects on the blessings of productive work and relationships. Ps. 129 differentiates between those who serve God and those who serve their own interests. Ps. 130 is a plea for God’s attention and a statement of repentance and confidence. Ps. 131 is a prayer of humility. Ps. 132 is a prayer for the Messiah to come and the kingdom of God to triumph. Ps. 133 reflects on the joy of fellowship. Ps. 134 is an invitation to worship and a blessing. Series: Getting Up, Going Up! Garrison COG “Struggling With The Psalms of Ascent celebrate the restoration Contempt” Psalm 123 of Jerusalem and the Temple. They intersperse contemporary psalms with pre-exilic psalms. They are often juxtaposed to create contrast and continuity. Psalm 123 seems to have been written shortly after the rebuilding of the temple resumed under Zerubbabel [520 BC]. Though it may have been written during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah around 75 years later [444 BC]. Both scenarios would fit the information in Psalm 123. I would lean toward the 1st because of the connection with . Psalm 122 is written by sometime shortly after 1003 BC The priests blow the trumpets as the after he had finished the fortification of Jerusalem rebuilding of the temple resumes and moved the Ark of the Covenant inside the city. under Zerubbabel. The Temple did not yet exist in Jerusalem. Series: Getting Up, Going Up! Aug. 8, 2021 -Garrison COG Psalm 123 1 « A . » Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the LORD our God, Until He has mercy on us. 3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. 4 Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scorn of those who are at ease, With the contempt of the proud.

Series: Getting Up, Going Up! The Psalms of Ascent Garrison COG “Struggling With The Exiles and their children returned to Judah Contempt” Psalm 123 from Babylon in 538 BC. Over 49,000 Exiles returned to Judah. In Daniel 9 Daniel reflects that he has been in captivity for 70 years [Daniel was taken in the first wave of captives by Nebuchadnezzar in 609 BC]. It is the 1st year of Persian rule of Babylon, likely 539 BC. Cyrus proclaimed his release of Exiles in 538 allowing peoples who had been exiled by the Babylonians to return to their original homes and restore their temples. King Jeconiah’s son Shealtiel as governor of Judah[King Jeconiah was Judah’s last legitimate king, he was held as a hostage by the Babylonian The priests blow the trumpets as the government]. Direct leadership of the Exiles was by rebuilding of the temple resumes Zerubbabel who was Shealtiel’s nephew. under Zerubbabel. Series: Getting Up, Going Up! Aug. 8, 2021 -Garrison COG “Struggling With When the exiles returned, the 1st thing they Contempt” Psalm 123 rebuilt was the altar of sacrifice. They then held the Feast of Tabernacles. Following this Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the Temple. It was considerably smaller than Solomon’s temple. Some of the priestly Exiles remembered Solomon’s temple and they disparaged the the efforts of the workmen. The nations around Judah also did not want the Temple rebuilt because they saw it as a rallying point for the restoration of a Jewish nation. The leaders of the states around Judah sent envoys to Persia to ask that the building be discontinued and and threatened the Exiles with military action. The priests blow the trumpets as the Building halted for 16 years on the Temple site. rebuilding of the temple resumes It would not be until the reign of Darius I [520 BC] under Zerubbabel. that it would resume. Series: Getting Up, Going Up! Aug. 8, 2021 -Garrison COG Psalm 141 *vs. 8-10

1 « A Psalm of David. » LORD, I cry out to You; Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. 2 Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works With men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies. 5 Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked. 6 Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff, And they hear my words, for they are sweet. 7 Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, As when one plows and breaks up the earth. 8 But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute. 9 Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, And from the traps of the workers of iniquity. 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I escape safely.

Series: Getting Up, Going Up! The Psalms of Ascent Garrison COG “Struggling With It was when, as Ezra indicates, the prophet Haggai began Contempt” Psalm 123 to agitate for rebuilding to resume that Zerubbabel and Joshua [the High Priest] began to rebuild. It was the 2nd year of King Darius in 520 BC. When the rebuilding began it was challenged by the nations around Judah and envoys sent to Darius. He had a search made of the royal records and rediscovered Cyrus’s edict. Darius appointed Zerubbabel governor and gave him autonomy along with resources to rebuild the Temple. The Temple was completed 5 years later in 515 BC. Psalm 141 is a Psalm of David reflecting on the struggles that accompanied the revolt under his son Absalom. We often face intimidation in our lives for trying to serve God. Some of this is brought on by opposition of others, other problems develop as the effects of our own past failures. The most devastating may be the unrealized expectations of our friends. Darius the Great [521-486 BC] Haggai 2:1-4 & Zechariah 4:8-10 Series: Getting Up, Going Up! Aug. 8, 2021 -Garrison COG Haggai 2:1-4 *3-4 1 In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? 4 ‘Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:8-10 *10 8 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. 10 For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

Series: Getting Up, Going Up! The Psalms of Ascent Garrison COG Zechariah student under Haggai. He was a by James trained scribe and would go on to be Tissot, he is pictured the primary spiritual impetus behind as an the rebuilding of the Temple as well eccentric as dealing with internal conflict that reflecting arose. on his apocalyptic Aug. 8, 2021 - Series: Getting Up, Going Up! prophesies. Garrison COG Zechariah when we face opposition. The by James direction of the Psalmist is to “look Tissot, he is pictured to the hand of the LORD as a servant as an looks to the hand of their master”. eccentric The danger is that we will be reflecting distracted from God’s purpose. on his apocalyptic Aug. 8, 2021 - Series: Getting Up, Going Up! prophesies. Garrison COG Psalm 122

1 « A Song of Ascents. Of David. » I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” 2 Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, 4 Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the LORD. 5 For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.” 8 For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” 9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.

Series: Getting Up, Going Up! The Psalms of Ascent Garrison COG “Struggling With Contempt” In 1003 BC the Tribal leaders came to David and asked to make him Psalm 123 king not only over Judah but also king over Israel. David to show his strength and ability captures the city of Jerusalem from the Jebusites and prepares it to be his capital by building a palace and new fortifications. To legitimize his kingship he plans to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem and called up all the nobility of Judah to assist in the ceremony. Uzzah is struck dead when he tries to steady the Ark and David is humiliated, angry Uzzah Struck Down by James Tissot from 1 Chronicles 13:7-11 and fearful. & 2 Samuel 6:2-10 Proverbs 18:1-4

Series: Getting Up, Going Up! Aug. 8, 2021 -Garrison COG Proverbs 18:1-4 1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. 2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. 3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

Series: Getting Up, Going Up! The Psalms of Ascent Garrison COG “Struggling With Contempt” 4 Principles for facing Contempt from without and within: Psalm 123 • When we isolate ourselves from others we lose perspective and become emotionally driven. • When we are more interested in getting our own way we lose perspective. • We need to understand we have enemies and bad decisions give them opportunity. • Seeking good counsel is a steadying and refreshing Uzzah Struck Down by James Tissot from 1 Chronicles influence. 13:7-11 & 2 Samuel 6:2-10

Series: Getting Up, Going Up! Aug. 8, 2021 -Garrison COG “Struggling With Contempt” David in his weakness, threatened by the Philistines turns to God and asks for Psalm 123 his blessing and direction. God gives him a great victory over the Philistine army that has put Jerusalem to siege. He also hears that for the last 3 months God has been blessing Obed-Edom’s house where the Ark of the Covenant had been parked. He decides to bring it into the city and prepares a special tent [tabernacle] to house the Ark. This will come to be called “the Tabernacle of David”. Isaiah 16:1-5; Amos 9:9-15; Acts 15:13-19. It became a symbol of God’s acceptance of the Gentiles, his intimate immediacy and the Messianic kingdom. David Bringing the Ark Into Jerusalem by James Tissot from 1 Chronicles 15:1-3; 16:1-6 & 2 Samuel 6:12-17 For David it became the promise of a future temple. Series: Getting Up, Going Up! Aug. 8, 2021 -Garrison COG “Struggling With Contempt” Psalm 123 David built Jerusalem as a capital city near his palace the “tabernacle of David” was pitched with the Ark of the Covenant. Each day priests and Levites would sing the praises of God and offer incense before the Ark. Evidently any who wished to enter could if they were repentant and pure of attitude. Psalm 15. In 1 Corinthians 4:4-9 Paul speaks about facing contempt with confidence in the justice and mercy of God. He also warns us to guard against arrogance & hypocrisy in our relationship with others when we face contempt. One of the biggest dangers we face is “giving up”. Jesus addressed this in Luke 18:1-8. An artist’s conception of what David’s Jerusalem looked like. Series: Getting Up, Going Up! Aug. 8, 2021 -Garrison COG Luke 18:1-8 1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 “Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 “And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 ‘yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Series: Getting Up, Going Up! The Psalms of Ascent Garrison COG “Struggling With Contempt” In Luke’s gospel Jesus tells us to not lose heart when we face Psalm 123 contempt but pray and seek God’s direction. As Christians we are not in the process alone. Paul indicates in Romans 14:7-12 that Jesus Christ through the presence of His Spirit is with us through all circumstances. Another big danger we face when struggling with contempt is respond in kind, especially to those who are fellow Christians.

This stone step like structure was originally part of the original Jebusite city of Jerusalem, David built his palace at the top including this structure as part of it. The house at the bottom was an administration building later in the kingdom. This is likely the “millo” mentioned in scripture. Series: Getting Up, Going Up! Aug. 8, 2021 -Garrison COG Romans 14:7-12 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Series: Getting Up, Going Up! The Psalms of Ascent Garrison COG “Struggling With How do we deal with contempt from the Contempt” Psalm 123 culture, individuals, friends or even ourselves? Do we become discouraged and quit? Do we become angry and belligerent? Do we retreat into ourselves? Do we strike out at others? Do we bull through trying to prove we are in the right? Or do we look to God seeking his will and direction, trusting him for the outcome? We will all face contempt at times; even from The priests blow the trumpets as the those we believe should know better. Those are rebuilding of the temple resumes the times we learn if we are really standing in the under Zerubbabel. new Jerusalem and are confident of God’s grace. Series: Getting Up, Going Up! Aug. 8, 2021 -Garrison COG