Psalm 122-124

Book of Psalms Psalms 122-124

Psalm 122 – Joyful Worship in Jerusalem

Steven Lawson wrote: “What a treasured privilege it is to be with God’s people as they gather in God’s house to hear God’s Word. Word-inspired worship is never a drudgery but a delight; never a burden but a blessing” (Holman OT Commentary ). Bible commentator Matthew Henry said: “How lovely is the sanctuary in the eyes of those who are truly sanctified.” Psalm 122 is one of the “songs of degrees (ascents),” known by that title because these songs (Psalms 120-134) were sung by Jewish worshipers as they traveled to Jerusalem three times a year for the prescribed religious feasts (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles). These psalms were called songs of degrees (ascents) because Jerusalem was 2,700 feet in elevation and thus an upward climb for all excited worshipers. David wrote 4 of the songs (Ps. 122, 124, 131, 133). Solomon wrote one (Ps. 127), and 10 remain anonymous. Jerusalem was the nation’s capital and also the nation’s spiritual center.

1. The procession to Jerusalem (vs. 1-2)

A. Going with a special people – “let us” refers to the great company of pilgrims who made their journey together. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. John Wesley once said, “There is nothing more unchristian than a solitary Christian.”

B. Entering a special place – “the house of the Lord” refers to the tabernacle and later the temple in the time of King Solomon.

C. Realizing a special privilege – “I was glad” describes the excitement and joy of going to worship God with God’s people in God’s place. God’s children don’t have to worship; they get to worship. The pilgrims were thrilled when they saw the great city of Jerusalem, but they were even more excited with the worship that took place there. J. C. Ryle wrote: “We must take our whole heart to the house of God, and worship like those who listen to the reading of a will.” Reading and studying the Old and New Testaments is reading and studying God’s only will and testament. We ought to worship with a spirit of excitement and anticipation. What a privilege it is just to be in God’s presence.

2. The praise for Jerusalem (vs. 3-5)

A. Jerusalem was a place of close fellowship (vs. 3) – The layout of the city was tight and compressed together, bringing the people close together.

B. Jerusalem was a place of unified worship (vs. 4) – The people offered praise for “the name of the Lord” (all of His wonderful attributes).

C. Jerusalem was a place of true justice (vs. 5) – Jerusalem was the capital city where the innocent were defended and the guilty were prosecuted. It was the royal city where King David presided and where civil and legal decisions were made. It was the seat of government. Israel was both a theocracy (ruled by God) and a monarchy (ruled by king).

3. The peace of Jerusalem (vs. 6-9)

A. Jerusalem needed the peace of international security – This peace involves international peace with surrounding countries. Ironically, the name “Jerusalem” means peace, but there has been little peace in this part of the world. Enemies have always surrounded Jerusalem. There will be no real peace until King Jesus, the Prince of Peace, rules from His throne in Jerusalem.

B. Jerusalem needed the peace of internal harmony – True worship can take place only when there is unity among brothers (Ps. 133:1).

Important Facts about Jerusalem:

1) First mentioned in Genesis 14:18 as “Salem” (Melchizedek, King of Salem) 2) Captured by David around 1050 B.C. (2 Sam. 5) 3) Became the capital city of David’s kingdom (2 Sam. 6) 4) Solomon built the temple there around 1005 B.C. (1 Kings 6) 5) Destroyed and burned by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon (2 Kings 25) 6) Reconstructed after the decree of Cyrus around 536 B.C. (Ezra 1) 7) Walls of the city were completed under Nehemiah around 445 B.C. (Neh. 6) 8) Captured by the Roman general Pompey in 63 B.C. 9) Herod the Great began his rebuilding and expansion of the temple in 20 B.C. 10) Jesus was dedicated in the temple (Lk. 2:1-38) 11) Jesus attended the Passover there when He was 12 years old (Lk. 2:41-50) 12) Jesus did many miracles there (John 4:45) 13) Jesus made His triumphal entry into the city (John 12:12-15) 14) Jesus wept over the city because of their spiritual rejection (Mt. 23:37-39) 15) Jesus was crucified, buried, and arose in this city (Mt. 27:27-60; Mt. 28:1-10) 16) Jesus ascended to heaven from this city (Acts 1:4-11) 17) The Gospel was first preached there (Lk. 24:45-47) 18) The first church was established there (Acts 2:46-47) 19) The first martyr, Stephen, was killed there (Acts 7) 20) The first Christian church council was held there (Acts 15) 21) Destroyed by the Roman army led by Titus, 70 A.D.

Names and Descriptions of Jerusalem:

1) City of God; city of the Lord (Ps. 48:1; Isa. 60:14) 2) City of David (2 Sam. 5:6-7) 3) City of righteousness (Isa. 1:26) 4) City of truth (Zech. 8:3) 5) The faithful city (Isa. 1:21, 26) 6) The holy city (Mt. 4:5) 7) The city of the great King (Ps. 48:2) 8) Zion (Ps. 48:12) 9) Jebus (Josh. 18:28) 10) Salem (Gen. 14:18) 11) Beautiful for situation (Ps. 48:2) 12) The joy of the whole earth (Ps. 48:2)

Psalm 123 – The Upward Look of Faith

Alexander MacLaren said, “Faith is the sight of the inward eye.” This psalm captures the upward look of one who lives by faith. This is an anonymous song of degrees (ascents). The outline comes from Steven Lawson, Holman OT Commentary , 273.

1. The eyes of faith (vs. 1)

2. The examples of faith (vs. 2)

3. The enemies of faith (vs. 3-4)

Psalm 124 – What a Difference the Lord Makes

This psalm of David highlights the difference it makes when God is on our side. Paul asked, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31). It is the fifth song of degrees (ascents). Although no historical background is given in a subtitle, this psalm may refer to Israel’s escape from Egypt in the days of Moses.

1. Life without God (vs. 1-5)

2. Life with God (vs. 6-8)

Book of Psalms Psalms 122-124

Psalm 122 – Joyful Worship in Jerusalem

Psalm 122 is one of the “songs of degrees (ascents),” known by that title because these songs (Psalms 120-134) were sung by Jewish worshipers as they traveled to Jerusalem three times a year for the prescribed religious feasts (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles). These psalms were called songs of degrees (ascents) because Jerusalem was 2,700 feet in elevation and thus an upward climb for all excited worshipers. David wrote 4 of the songs (Ps. 122, 124, 131, 133). Solomon wrote one (Ps. 127), and 10 remain anonymous. Jerusalem was the nation’s capital and also the nation’s spiritual center.

1. ______to Jerusalem (vs. 1-2)

A. Going with______Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. John Wesley once said, “There is nothing more unchristian than a solitary Christian.”

B. Entering______

C. Realizing______J. C. Ryle wrote: “We must take our whole heart to the house of God, and worship like those who listen to the reading of a will.”

2. ______for Jerusalem (vs. 3-5)

A. Jerusalem was a place of______(vs. 3)

B. Jerusalem was a place of______(vs. 4)

C. Jerusalem was a place of______(vs. 5)

3. ______of Jerusalem (vs. 6-9)

A. Jerusalem needed the peace of______Ironically, the name “Jerusalem” means peace, but there has been little peace in this part of the world. Enemies have always surrounded Jerusalem. There will be no real peace until King Jesus, the Prince of Peace, rules from His throne in Jerusalem.

B. Jerusalem needed the peace of______True worship can take place only when there is unity among brothers (Ps. 133:1).

Important Facts about Jerusalem:

Names and Descriptions of Jerusalem:

Psalm 123 – The Upward Look of Faith

1. The______(vs. 1)

2. The______(vs. 2)

3. The______(vs. 3-4)

Psalm 124 – What a Difference the Lord Makes

1. ______(vs. 1-5)

2. ______(vs. 6-8)