Psalms 120 thru 134 have “A Song of Ascents” at the beginning of each psalm. These were songs that were sung by bands of traveling pilgrims, However, there are different ideas in regards to where these pilgrims were traveling to as they sang these psalms. The two most common ideas are they were sung by the Jews returning from captivity or they were sung by the Jews as they went to Jerusalem for the feasts. Since four of these psalms are ascribed to David and one to Solomon, some suggest they could not be psalms sung on the return from captivity. However, authorship would not limit the time of their use since both David and Solomon lived and wrote before the captivity. However, these being the psalms sung by the Jews as they made their three pilgrimages to Jerusalem each year to celebrate the feasts, seems a better fit. The argument against that position is that both David and Solomon, as kings of Israel, lived in Jerusalem and would not be among the traveling pilgrims. However, from the reading of these 15 psalms I doubt that it makes any difference of the time of their use. Even though the topics of the psalms differ, you will notice there are recurring ideas among them, primarily that God is the protector and deliverer of His people and blesses them; and the thanksgivings of the people for His protection, deliverance and blessings.
Monday – Read Psalm 120
A Cry For Deliverance From A Treacherous Tongue
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.
1. What does the psalmist say he did in times of distress, verse 1? Called out to the Lord for deliverance.
2. What is the psalmist crying out for deliverance from, verse 2? A deceitful tongue and lying lips. He could be speaking of his own tongue or the tongues of others.
3. To what does the psalmist compare the tongue, verse 4? A warrior’s sharp arrows; it is dangerous.
4. In verses 5 & 6 the psalmist seems to be giving a reason for his deceitful tongue. What do you understand as his reason? He is sojourning in a land of godless people, away from Jerusalem.
5. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Thank God for His promise to give you the power to control your tongue and use it as an instrument of blessing.
Tuesday – Read Psalm 121
A Psalm Of Comfort And Consolation – God Is The Keeper Of His People
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.
6. When the psalmist says “I will lift up my eyes to the hills,” verse 1, what do you think he is talking about? It appears he is seeing the city of Jerusalem on the hills in the distance and knows that is the dwelling place of God.
7. How are “the hills” connected to the Lord, his helper, verse 2? The hills would be the hills of the city of Jerusalem where the Temple of God is located.
8. What does the psalmist say about the Lord, verse 3? He will keep you from stumbling.
9. What does the psalmist believe the Lord will do for him, verses 7 & 8? Keep him from evil and provide guidance for him.
10. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Thank God for His promised protection and guidance.
Wednesday – Read Psalm 122
Prayer For The Peace Of Jerusalem, The Dwelling Place Of God
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.
11. Why do you think the psalmist would say “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”? Because he knew what he would find, receive there.
12. Why does the psalmist say he prays for Jerusalem? Because it is the location of the house of the Lord.
13. Why does the psalmist say the tribes go up to Jerusalem, verse 4? Because they were instructed by the Lord to do so.
14. What does the psalmist say is located in Jerusalem, verse 5? Thrones for judgment.
15. Why does the psalmist say he will seek good for Jerusalem, verse 9? Because if things go good for Jerusalem, they will go good for the house of the Lord.
16. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Ask God to help you always be glad, excited, when you have the opportunity to go to His Temple today, the church.
Thursday – Read Psalm 123
Prayer For God’s Help
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.
17. Where does the psalmist say God lives, verse 1? In the heavens.
18. If God lives in the heavens, why do you think the psalmist has made such a big deal about Jerusalem? Because that is the place God had told the Children of Israel He would make His presence known on earth.
19. Is this psalm, what is the psalmist asking for from God, verse 3? Mercy
20. Why does the psalmist say he is asking for this from God, verse 4? Because he says they live among a prideful people who have no mercy.
21. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Thank God for His mercy and grace.
Friday – Read Psalm 124
A Psalm Of Praise For God’s Protection
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.
22. Why is the psalmist offering praise to God, verse 3? Because He has delivered them from the enemy.
23. What does the psalmist say God did not do to them, verse 6? Give them over as prey to the enemy.
24. Where does the psalmist say their help comes from, verse 8? From God.
25. Why does the psalmist say it is significant that God is their helper, verse 8? He is the one who made the heavens and earth; He is the Creator.
26. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Thank God that He, the Creator of everything, loves you so much that He protects you.
Saturday – Read Psalm 125
God Is The Protector
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared from you during your study.
27. To what does the psalmist compare the people of God, verse 1? The city of Jerusalem surrounded by the mountains.
28. Why do you think he makes this comparison? Because the mountains surrounding the city would provide security as God provides security surrounding His people.
29. What does the psalmist say will happen to the people of God if the scepter of wickedness rests in their land, verse 3? They will do wickedness.
30. Who does the psalmist ask God to do good to, verse 4? To those who have good hearts.
31. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Ask God to help you always keep your heart good so you can be secure in His protection and blessings.
0 comments:
Post a Comment