I did a talk the other week on Psalm 123… �I had no idea where to go with this but was greatly helped by Alec Moyter’s book on the Psalms of Ascents called ‘Journey’, and also Mike Reeves (in a talk at All Souls) helped with some thoughts on illustrating the points. Here’s an outline of the talk…
Introduction
Psalms 120 – 134, The Songs of Ascent
Songs for the Pilgrimage – when the Jews journeyed on the way to the feasts; Passover, Tabernacles, Harvest, heading for Jerusalem
The Psalms come in triads (sets of 3), following the pattern of: 1)Distress 2) God’s protection 3) Safe Arrival
Psalm 123-beginning of the 2nd triad, a situation of distress. But even in this situation we find hope in our faithful God
Eyes that looks up to Heaven
The world says “look to yourself” – find the strength you need inside yourself
The Psalmist says… “Not chin up but eyes up!”
The eyes looking to Heaven are symbolic of praying to our God
Robert Murray-McChene-Every look at myself, take ten at Christ
The hand that acts
Looking shows our dependence on God – God our master
Hand of the LORD our God – Hand of provision
My dog Glennie… his eyes fixed upon the dinner table – expectant that his master will provide
The mercy given?
The cry for mercy goes seemingly unheard… But remember to whom it is we cry-it’s the LORD!
I AM the LORD… who rescued you… this is the God who is in the business of giving mercy
We see his mercy in the past and we await the great day of mercy to come
The hardships of the journey
Contempt from the arrogant: Faith and prayer is just a sign of weakness
Ridicule from the proud: You don’t really believe that do you? I’m a good person, it doesn’t matter what you say!
Eye of Hope - (called by ancient scholars)
Look to Heaven
Wait for His mercy
Remember the One who made The Journey… Jesus made a journey at the feast of the Passover… he journeyed away from the city, he endured much contempt and ridicule… so that you can now journey to the New Jerusalem
