Psalm 129 – oppressed, begins with a recounting of the suffering of Israel. They feel this suffering so strongly that they repeat the phrase. What do we learn about oppression and survival from this psalm? Psalm 129 Another song of ascents, pilgrims coming to Jerusalem remember how God saved them in the past and pray […]
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To walk is a blessing. I thank God for feet, albeit flat, and knees, though arthritic, that keep me moving. So much better than the alternative. What does it mean to walk with God? What do we learn from Psalm 128 – walk? Psalm 128 To walk is to move at a regular pace by […]
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The word unless imposes a condition. Unless this happens, then that will or will not happen. What are the conditions in Psalm 127 – unless? Psalm 127 A song of ascents attributed to Solomon, Psalm 127 begins with two statements using unless. The words echo other wisdom sayings. “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in […]
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When you marry later in life, you know the shelf-life on your marriage is limited. Fifty years – nah. Twenty-five – maybe. Ten years – yes. And so, I started bargaining with God for time. Bargaining with God I’ve always been rather namby-pamby when it came to bargaining with God. I rarely did it and […]
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Psalm 126 – when, recalls a time of amazement when the Lord worked wonders, then uses that remembrance to provide hope. What else might we learn from this psalm? Psalm 126 Psalm 126 – when, is the seventh out of fifteen songs of ascents used by pilgrims to Jerusalem. Some posit that pilgrims recited a […]
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Psalm 125 – unshakeable, begins with the statement that those who trust in the Lord cannot be shaken – or in other translations, unshakeable. What does it mean to be unshakeable? Psalm 125 In Psalm 125, another song of ascents, the psalmist compares those who trust in the Lord to Mount Zion. “Those who trust […]
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If – a small but powerful word. It speaks of potential – if this had happened, or if this had not happened. What more might we learn about this word from Psalm 124 – If? Psalm 124 Psalm 124 is another song of ascents for pilgrims, this one attributed to David. Using poetic imagery, it […]
Read More Psalm 123 is a lament of one who has had enough and has nowhere else to turn. The writer turns to God in his need, like slaves who are dependent on their master. What might we learn about slaves from Psalm 123 – Slaves? Psalm 123 Psalm 123 is another song of ascents, recited by […]
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Jerusalem, a site of controversy and violence, a place of contradiction. Jerusalem, the city of David, is sacred to three different religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. What might we learn about Jerusalem from Psalm 122 – Jerusalem? Psalm 122 Psalm 122 is a song of ascents, attributed to David. Pilgrims rejoice on their way to Jerusalem. […]
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I remember a story about man who gave his grandson a kite. The boy had been experiencing hardships, and his grandfather wanted him to look up. In the same way, Psalm 121 – lift my eyes, reminds us to look up, focus on God. Psalm 121 Psalm 121 is another song of ascents for pilgrims […]
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