Podcasts about pilgrim psalms

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, perched atop a high hill. These "Pilgrim Psalms" speak to the journey of faith, offering words for prayer and worship. They remind us of who we are and where we are headed—songs for the road for those walking the way of Christ.

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, perched atop a high hill. These "Pilgrim Psalms" speak to the journey of faith, offering words for prayer and worship. They remind us of who we are and where we are headed—songs for the road for those walking the way of Christ.

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, perched atop a high hill. These "Pilgrim Psalms" speak to the journey of faith, offering words for prayer and worship. They remind us of who we are and where we are headed—songs for the road for those walking the way of Christ.

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, perched atop a high hill. These "Pilgrim Psalms" speak to the journey of faith, offering words for prayer and worship. They remind us of who we are and where we are headed—songs for the road for those walking the way of Christ.

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, perched atop a high hill. These "Pilgrim Psalms" speak to the journey of faith, offering words for prayer and worship. They remind us of who we are and where we are headed—songs for the road for those walking the way of Christ.

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, perched atop a high hill. These "Pilgrim Psalms" speak to the journey of faith, offering words for prayer and worship. They remind us of who we are and where we are headed—songs for the road for those walking the way of Christ.

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, perched atop a high hill. These "Pilgrim Psalms" speak to the journey of faith, offering words for prayer and worship. They remind us of who we are and where we are headed—songs for the road for those walking the way of Christ.

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, perched atop a high hill. These "Pilgrim Psalms" speak to the journey of faith, offering words for prayer and worship. They remind us of who we are and where we are headed—songs for the road for those walking the way of Christ.

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, perched atop a high hill. These "Pilgrim Psalms" speak to the journey of faith, offering words for prayer and worship. They remind us of who we are and where we are headed—songs for the road for those walking the way of Christ.

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, perched atop a high hill. These "Pilgrim Psalms" speak to the journey of faith, offering words for prayer and worship. They remind us of who we are and where we are headed—songs for the road for those walking the way of Christ.

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, perched atop a high hill. These "Pilgrim Psalms" speak to the journey of faith, offering words for prayer and worship. They remind us of who we are and where we are headed—songs for the road for those walking the way of Christ.

Psalm 134 is the fifteenth and last psalm of the "Songs of Ascents" or what is also called the “Pilgrim Psalms”. The psalm closes the collection with a benediction and leads into a series of psalms that emphasize praising the Lord. It is interesting to note that when the pilgrim began his journey to Jerusalem, the first prayer of this section of psalms, Psalm 120, indicates that he was at a low point spiritually. “In my distress I cried to the LORD… Woe is me….” (vv. 1, 5). But now, in Psalm 130, having completed his time of worship and cleansing at the place of worship in Jerusalem, he loudly proclaims, “Bless the LORD”!  A wonderful change has taken place in his life! We notice several great encouragements from this psalm. First, we have a God Who never sleeps (v. 1). As you review these fifteen psalms, you see that the pilgrims had a variety of experiences on their journey, but they arrived safely in the Holy City, fulfilled their obligations, and were now preparing to return home. It was night and they wanted to make one last visit to the temple. Directed by the high priest, the temple priests and Levites were responsible to make sure everything was in order for the next day's ministry. The pilgrims heard a temple choir singing the praises of Jehovah, and their ministry would continue all night. Pagan temples were silent at night, because their gods had to rest (1 Kings 18:27), but "He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:3-4). The Lord gives sleep to His beloved people, but He stays awake and guards the city and watches over the family (Ps. 127:1-2). He also hears the praises of His people. "The LORD that made heaven and earth" (v. 3), also made the day and the night (Gen. 1:14-19), and “the darkness and the light are both alike to Him” (Ps. 139:11-12). When we go to sleep, we know that the Father is caring for us, and when we awaken, He is there to greet us (Ps. 91:1-6). If we awaken in the night, we can fellowship with Him and meditate on His Word (Ps. 119:55, 62, 147-148). If God never slumbers nor sleeps, why should we stay awake all night, tossing and turning and fretting? "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). Next, we have worship that never ends (v. 2). David arranged that the temple choirs praise the Lord day and night (Ps. 92:1-2; 1 Chron. 9:33; 23:30). While you and I are asleep in our part of the world, somewhere else on the globe, believers are worshiping God. Even more, Jesus Christ, our High Priest in heaven never ceases to intercede for us and enables us to pray and to worship. God gives us "songs in the night" (Ps. 42:8; 77:6; Job 35:10; Isa. 30:29), when circumstances are difficult and we cannot see our way. The greatest responsibility and highest privilege of individual believers and of churches is to worship God, for everything that we are and do flows out of worship. As the choir in the temple lifted their hands to heaven (see on 28:2), they were pointing to the Source of all good things and praising Him for His mercy and grace. True worshipers lift "clean hands and a pure heart" to the Lord (Ps. 24:4; James 4:8), for the Lord looks on the heart. We will worship God for all eternity (Rev. 4-5), so we had better start learning now. Finally we should realize we are blessed to be a blessing to others (v. 3). As the pilgrims left the temple, a priest on duty called, "May the Lord bless you from Zion". The pronoun "you" is singular, for the blessing of God is for each of us personally. To leave God's house with God's blessing upon us is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility, for we must share that blessing with others. If it is a joy to receive a blessing, it is an even greater joy to be a blessing. If the LORD who made the heaven and the earth never sleeps, and our worship never ends, then the blessing will not stop. God bless!

Psalm 133 is the fourteenth of the fifteen “Ascent Songs” or “Pilgrim Psalms” and from the title we see that the writer was David. When David became king he was 30 years old and he inherited a divided nation and almost a civil war. He first was anointed king of Judah and Benjamin and ruled in Hebron for seven-and-a-half years. But then the Lord gave him a united kingdom (2 Sam. 5; 1 Chron. 12:38-40) and he ruled over all twelve tribes from Jerusalem for the next thirty-three years. He could well have written this psalm when he began his reign in Jerusalem. The people of Israel usually journeyed to Jerusalem in family groups (see Luke 2:41-52) to observe their three special feast days, so this psalm perfectly suited the situation. It applies to individual believers and churches today, for we also have our "family quarrels" and need to learn to walk together in love. Maintaining the spiritual unity of God's people is the work of every believer, with the help of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:1-6).  For God's people to enjoy the pleasantness of unity we must experience at least three ministries of the Spirit that are illustrated in this psalm. In verse 1, David called the people “brethren”. The Jewish people all had a common ancestor in Abraham; they spoke a common language; they worshiped the same God; they were children of the same covenant; they shared a common land; and they were governed by the same holy law. Christians today have experienced being born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-6),  worship the same God, declare the same gospel message, preach from the same Scriptures, and are headed for the same heavenly city. How sad though, that there is often more division among us than unity! Yet all of us know that spiritual oneness in Christ (Gal. 3:26-29; Eph. 4:1-6) is both "good and pleasant." In verse 2, we can also experience the pleasantness of unity because we are anointed by the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, this means that we are being filled by the Holy Spirit and under the control of the Spirit. When the high priest was anointed, the oil ran down his beard to the front of his body and over his collar. This suggests that the oil "bathed" the twelve precious stones that he wore on the breastplate over his heart, and this "bathing" is a picture of spiritual unity. When God's people walk in the Spirit, they forget about the externals and major on the eternal things of the Spirit. Externals divide us, gender, wealth, appearance, ethnic prejudices, social or political standing, while the Spirit brings us together and we glorify Christ. In verse 3, we have a beautiful illustration of being refreshed by the Holy Spirit for our daily task. The Jews were basically an agricultural people and they depended on the early and latter rains and the dew to water their crops (Deut. 11:10-17). In Scripture, dew symbolizes the life-giving Word of God (Deut. 32:2), the blessing of God that brings fruitfulness (Gen. 27:28, 39; Deut. 33:13, 28), and God's special refreshing on His people (Hos. 14:5; Zech. 8:12). How often we need the refreshment of the Holy Spirit that comes silently but bountifully, like the dew upon the grass! The dew speaks of fruitfulness and the anointing oil speaks of fragrance, for the unity of God's people is both "good and pleasant." The word “there” in verse 3 no doubt refers to Jerusalem on Mt. Zion. “Salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22). It was “there” that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice that made it possible for us to have “peace with God”, and the experience “the blessing and life forevermore”. Both images, the oil and the dew, remind us that unity is not something that we "work up" but that God sends down by His Holy Spirit. When we get to the heavenly Zion (Heb. 12:18-29), there we will enjoy perfect unity. But why not seek to have that kind of unity today? God bless!

9 Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your saints shout for joy. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.  Psalm 132 is the thirteenth of the fifteen “Ascent Songs” or “Pilgrim Psalms”. Solomon was the most like writer of this psalm as he fulfilled the desire of his father David to bring the ark to Jerusalem and build the temple as a “resting place” for it. After his dedication prayer the glory of the LORD came down and filled the temple and now the visible presence of God was in the midst of the people and nation (2 Chronicles 6-7). Solomon begins the psalm in verses 1-5 asking the LORD to remember David's desire and promise to give God His rightful place among His people. In verses 6-8, he continues by describing how they found the ark and the people were encouraged to come to Jerusalem to worship. We get the impression that the ark was almost forgotten during the years it was in the house of Abinadab in Kirjath Jearim ("city of woods"). The city was only eight miles northwest of Jerusalem, so distance was no problem. Possibly some of the people in David's hometown of Bethlehem (Ephrathah—"fruitful land") were involved in bringing the ark to Jerusalem. And now, the people felt drawn to go on pilgrimage to the city. When Solomon put the ark into the Holy of Holies, the glory of God moved in, just as when Moses dedicated the tabernacle (1 Kings 8:1-11; Ex. 40). The Lord could now "rest" in His house after many years of wandering from place to place (2 Sam. 7:6; 1 Chron. 28:2). In verses 10-12, Solomon reminded God of the covenant He made with his father David. God's covenant with David (2 Sam. 7) assured Israel that one of David's descendants would sit on the throne, and now Solomon was king, "God's anointed." So it was for David's sake, not Solomon's, that God blessed the king and the people. Ultimately, this promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, whose throne and kingdom are forever (2 Sam. 7:11-17; Acts 13:26-39; Luke 1:30-33). If David's successors wanted the blessing of God, they needed to obey the law of God. Believers today are united with the Lord in a new covenant that Jesus made in His own blood (Matt. 26:26-30; Heb. 12:24), and He will never break that covenant. The Father is faithful to His Son, and the Son is faithful to the covenant He made in His own blood. In verses 13, Solomon reminds the people that God not only chose Israel to be His people and David and his descendants to be His kings, but He chose Zion to be the site of His temple and His throne (the ark). Other nations had temples, but none of those temples had the glory of the true and living God dwelling in them. Now in verses 14-18, God speaks and reaffirmed His covenant with Israel (Lev. 26; Deut. 27-30). God promised to dwell with Israel, provide their food, bless their worship, and defeat their enemies. A “horn” (v. 17), is a symbol of power and strength, and the “growth” of the horn of David is a picture of the coming of the promised Messiah. So, the psalm ends by pointing to Jesus Christ. The psalm concerns itself with David and God's covenant with him, but it points to David's greater Son, Jesus Christ, and His covenant with His church. The psalmist was concerned about the ark of the covenant, but the ark points to Jesus Christ who today is enthroned in the Holy of Holies in heaven. We see, not the earthly Zion, but the heavenly Zion (Heb. 12:22-24), and we rejoice that we are "a kingdom of priests" because of the grace of God (Rev. 1:5-6). Today, let us give God His rightful place, worship Him joyfully, rest on His faithful covenant, and trust Him for the promised blessings for those who willingly obey His will. And then His “saints shall shout for joy”! (vv. 9, 16) God bless!

Psalm 132 is the thirteenth of the fifteen “Ascent Songs” or “Pilgrim Psalms”. The title doesn't tell us who the writer is but from the psalm itself many have come to the conclusion that it was Solomon. Since verses 8-10 are quoted by Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the temple (2 Chron. 6:41-42), perhaps this psalm was written for that occasion. You might also notice the references to David in Solomon's prayer (2 Chron. 6:3-11,15-17).   As I read this psalm, I am reminded of the importance of the presence and the blessing of the Lord upon our lives, our families, our churches, and our nation. We might experience success and outwardly appear to have great happiness and prosperity, but unless the blessings and presence of God is there, we really have nothing worth having! When David turned the kingdom over to Solomon the borders were secure, the nation was prosperous beyond imagination, and everything was great! But the Ark of the Covenant wasn't in its “resting place” in the Holy City of Jerusalem. The Shekinah glory of God was missing. First in verses 1-5, we must make sure that God is in His rightful place in our lives and in our worship! It is interesting to note that in the 150 psalms, that this is the only psalm where the ark is mentioned. The ark represented God's throne on earth (Psalm 80:1 and 99:1), and its rightful place was in the Holy of Holies of God's sanctuary. Unless God is on the throne of our lives, no enterprise we attempt can be really successful. The ark had been in several places before Solomon put it into the temple (2 Chron. 5). The ark went before the children of Israel as they followed the cloud and pillar of fire through the wilderness, and it also went before them into the water as the people crossed the Jordan River and entered Canaan. It is possible that the ark was temporarily at Bethel (Judg. 20:27) and then Mizpah (Judg. 21:5), but it finally rested at Shiloh (1 Sam. 1-3). The wicked sons of Eli used the ark as a "good luck charm" and took it into battle against the Philistines, but the Philistines captured it (1 Sam. 4-5). Frightened by the judgments God sent, the Philistines returned the ark to the Jews, and for twenty years it rested in the house of Abinadab in Kirjath Jearim (1 Sam. 6:1-7:2). When David became king, he wanted the ark in Jerusalem and prepared a tent for it, but his first attempt failed (2 Sam. 6:1-11). The ark remained in the house of Obed-Edom for three months, and then David successfully brought God's throne to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:12-19; 1 Chron. 15-16). It appears that the tabernacle of Moses and its holy furniture were in Gibeon (1 Chron. 21:29). David had two great ambitions: to bring the ark to Jerusalem and then to build a glorious temple to house it. He even made a vow to the Lord, and the Lord permitted him to fulfill the first desire but not the second (2 Sam. 7). David had gone through much hardship, “affliction” (v. 1), with reference to the building of the temple (v. 1; 1 Chron. 22:14), for the wealth he turned over to Solomon came from the spoils of his many battles. The worship leader called on God to "remember—pay attention to" what David had done, for humanly speaking, without David there would have been no temple. Even purchasing the property on which the temple was built cost David a great deal of pain (2 Sam. 24). Today, if we have received the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, our vey bodies have become the temple of the Holy Spirit and God (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Are you allowing Him to sit upon the throne of your heart and direct your every decision and step in life? Do you desire and seek His presence so much that you get up early or stay up late (v. 4), to spend time in His Word and prayer, in fellowship with Him? Today, it is my prayer that all of us would make our hearts and lives a “dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob”! The world desperately needs to see His Glory today! God bless!

Psalm 131 is the twelfth of the fifteen “Ascent Songs” or “Pilgrim Psalms”. This is a psalm about humility. From the title we know it was written by David. If anyone in Israel had reasons to be proud, it was David. The eighth son of a common citizen, he began as a humble shepherd and yet became Israel's greatest king. A courageous soldier, a gifted general and tactician, and a sincere man of God, it was David who defeated Israel's enemies, expanded her boundaries, and amassed the wealth that Solomon used to build the temple. David was human, and like all of us, he was guilty of disobeying the Lord, but he was always repentant and sought God's merciful forgiveness. Except for a few lapses into selfishness and sin, David walked with the Lord in a humble spirit. In this brief psalm, he shares with us three essentials of a life that glorifies God and accomplishes His work on earth. In verse 1, we first learn that we need to be honest and accept ourselves. We move toward maturity when we honestly accept who we are, understand what we can do, accept both and live for God's glory. Rejecting or hating ourselves, fantasizing about ourselves, and envying others are marks of immaturity. David had seen some of this kind of behavior in his own son Absalom as well as in King Saul. A proud heart refuses to face reality, a high look covers up hidden inadequacy, and arrogant ambition impresses some people but leads ultimately to embarrassing failure (Jer. 45:5). When you accept yourself and your lot and thank God for the way He made you, you do not need to impress people. They will see your worth and love you for who you are. Spoiled children want to be seen and heard and they get involved in things they cannot handle. David did not promote himself; it was all God's doing. In verse 2, we should seek to have a humble heart and accept God's will. Hebrew children were weaned at ages three or four, and this experience marked the end of their infancy. But most children do not want to be deprived of their mother's loving arms and satisfying breasts, and they feel rejected and unwanted. But after the crisis of birth, each child must eventually be weaned and learn the first lesson in the school of life: growing up involves painful losses that can lead to wonderful gains. If children are to grow up and not just grow old, they must be able to function apart from mother. This means weaning, going to school, choosing a vocation, and probably marrying and starting a new home. They must learn that there is a difference between cutting the apron strings and cutting the heartstrings and that these separations do not rob them of mother's love. Weaning can be painful but is necessary in life! The child that David described wept and fretted but eventually “calmed” down and accepted the inevitable. The word describes the calming of the sea or the farmer's leveling of the ground after plowing (Isa. 28:25). Instead of emotional highs and lows, the child developed a steady uniform response, indicating a giant step forward in the quest for maturity. Successful living means moving from dependence to independence, and then to interdependence, always in the will of God. Finally in verse 3, we must place our hope in the LORD as we anticipate the future (v. 3). Infants do not realize that their mother's decision is for their own good, for weaning sets them free to meet the future and make the most of it. The child may want to keep things as they are, but that way lies immaturity and tragedy. In the Christian vocabulary, hope is not "hope so" or “wishful thinking”. It is joyful anticipation of what the Lord will do in the future, based on His changeless promises. Like the child being weaned, we may fret at our present circumstances, but we know that our fretting is wrong. Today we need to remember that our present circumstances are the womb out of which new blessings and opportunities will be born (Rom. 8:28). God bless!

Psalm 130 is the eleventh of the fifteen “Ascent Songs” or “Pilgrim Psalms”. It is also the sixth of the seven Penitential Psalms. The other six are Psalms 6; 32:1-11, 38:1-22, 51:1-19, 102:1-7, 143:1-12. These are psalms where the psalmist is crying out in repentance asking for mercy for his sins and iniquities. Psalm 130 emphasizes what God does for helpless people who cry out to Him for mercy. Perhaps the Jewish pilgrims used this psalm to confess their sins and seek God's forgiveness and blessing as they made their way to the sanctuary. No matter what our need, when we call upon the Lord in faith, He hears us and makes the changes needed in our lives. In verses 1-2, the picture is that of a person drowning and unable to stand on the bottom or swim to safety. The tense of the verb "cry" indicates that the writer had been crying in the past and continued to cry out as he wrote the psalm, because without God's merciful intervention, he would die. We can cry out to God from the depths of disappointment and defeat and from the depths of fear and perplexity. Like a heavy weight, sin drags its victims to the depths, but God made us for the heights (Isa. 40:31; Col. 3:1). In verses 3-4, the psalmist moved from the sea to the courtroom, but there the sinner could not stand because of guilt. The only way we can get rid of the sin record is to come to God for His gracious forgiveness, and this forgiveness is made possible because of the work of Christ on the cross (32:1-2; Rom. 4:1-8). Sinners cannot stand before the holy Judge and argue their own case (Ps. 1:5; 143:2; Ezra 9:15; Nah. 1:6; Mal. 3:2). But God is ready to forgive (Ps. 86:5; Neh. 9:17), and faith in the Savior brings forgiveness to the soul. God casts our sins behind His back and blots them out of His book (Isa. 38:17; 43:25; 44:22). He carries them away as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:11-12), casts them into the sea (Micah 7:19), and holds them against us no more (Jer. 31:34; Heb. 10:17). But forgiveness is not a blessing to be taken lightly, for it cost God His Son; therefore, we ought to love and fear God (Ps. 76:7). If you take seriously the guilt of sin, you will take seriously the grace of forgiveness. In verses 5-6, we move from the courtroom to the city walls where the watchmen are alert as they peer through the darkness to detect the approach of any danger. Nothing they do can make the sun come up any sooner, but when the day dawns, the guards rejoice that the city has been safe another night. When the Lord forgives sinners, it is for them the dawning of a new day as they move out of darkness into God's marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). The forgiven sinner is content to wait on the Lord for whatever He has planned for that day. This is not the waiting of hopeless resignation but of hopeful anticipation, for each new day brings new blessings from His hand (Ps. 119:74, 81, 82; Lam. 3:22-26). If you find yourself forgiven but still in the darkness, wait on the Lord and trust His Word, but do not try to manufacture your own light (Isa. 50:10-11). In verses 6-7, our final visit is to the slave market and the theme is redemption, which means "setting someone free by paying a price." Israel knew a great deal about God's redemption, for at the Exodus, God's power had set them free from Egyptian tyranny (Ex. 12-15). They had no hope and could not free themselves, but the Lord did it for them. He gave His people "abundant redemption" that included freedom from slavery, victory over their enemies, and a Promised Land for their home. The slave has no hope, but the child in the family looks forward to receiving an inheritance. All who trust Jesus Christ are children in God's family and not slaves, and their future is secure (Gal. 3:26-4:7). Today, as we watch and wait for His coming, despite what might be happening around us, we can also rejoice and say, “I am forgiven!!!! And in His Word I Do Hope!” God bless!

Psalm 123 is the fourth of the fifteen “Ascent Psalms”, also called the “Pilgrim Psalms”. This is another of the songs of degrees which have no named authorship but as some believe it was possibly written by King Hezekiah. It definitely fits the setting of the Assyrian invasion of Judah and the encirclement of Jerusalem by the armies of Sennacherib. The immediate occasion was probably the blasphemous, contemptuous speech of Rabshakeh in which he tried to subvert the loyalty of the besieged defenders of the city (Isaiah 36-37).  It is not until we read verse 4 that we discover the burden of the writer: the constant persecution of the people of Israel, being treated with scorn and contempt. Has any nation ever suffered the way Israel has suffered? During the post-exilic years, Israel also suffered the ridicule and scorn of their Gentile neighbors (Neh. 2:19; 4:1-4, 7). This psalm speaks about the God who is enthroned in heaven whose hand would work for His people, and you find both of these themes in Ezra and Nehemiah. Of course, God's people today are also suffering because of their commitment to Christ (John 16:30). According to missiologists, more Christians were martyred in the twentieth century than in all the previous centuries combined! When we find ourselves among the slandered, ridiculed, and persecuted, where do we turn for help? The psalm gives three answers to that question. First, we should look by faith to God's throne (v. 1). Of course, with our human eyes, we cannot see God on His throne, but with the eyes of faith we see Him as we believe the Word. "My eyes are toward the Lord" (Psalm 25:15). To look toward the Lord means to trust Him and turn our problems over to Him by faith. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:2). God's throne is mentioned often in the book of Psalms (9:4, 7; 11:4; 45:6; 47:8; 93:2; 97:2; 103:9), and to believers today, His throne is a throne of grace (Heb. 4:14-16). The life of faith begins by looking to the Lord by faith and trusting Him for salvation (Isa. 45:22). The life of faith continues as we keep our eyes of faith on Jesus (Heb. 12:2), and it will climax with faith becoming sight and we'll see Jesus in His glory (1 John 3:1-2). Second, we should look by faith to God's hand (v. 2). In eastern countries, masters often commanded their servants by means of hand signals, so the servants kept their eyes on the master's hand. This is what gave them direction for their work. But the master's hand was also the source of their provision, what they needed for their daily sustenance. Finally, the master's hand protected them in times of danger. So, it is with God's people today: our direction, provision, and protection all come from our Master's hand and His hand never fails. Finally, we should look for God's mercy and grace (vv. 3-4). The exiles from Israel had spent seventy years in Babylon. Most of the older ones died and at least two new generations were born. Now, about 50,000 of these people were trying to rebuild their temple, restore their city, and revitalize their nation. This was not an easy task, and the nations around them did not want Israel back on the scene again. The Persian rulers who had promised to help them did not always keep their promises, or the local Persian officers interfered with the announced plans. It was another evidence of the hatred the Gentiles had for the Jews. "We have endured much contempt" (v. 3). (Neh. 2:19; 4:1-4, 7; Lam. 3:15, 30.) But God chooses and uses the despised things of this world (1 Cor. 1:28). After all, our salvation was purchased by One who was "despised and rejected of men" (Isa. 53:3). If you find yourself laughed at and criticized because you belong to Jesus Christ, you are part of a very elite group, and you do not have to be embarrassed or start looking for a place to hide! There is grace available at the throne of grace from the God of all grace, so lift your eyes of faith to Him. God bless!

Psalm 122 is one of the fifteen “Ascent Psalms”, also called the “Pilgrim Psalms”. From the title we know that this one was written by David along with three others. One was written by Solomon and the other ten have anonymous writers. There are many commentators that believe King Hezekiah is the person that compiled these particular psalms together to encourage the Jewish pilgrims in their worship as they came to the City of Jerusalem three times a year for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. First in verses 1-2, we see that true worship comes from having a heart for God Himself (John 4:23-24). "Let us go" sounds tame, like an invitation to a tea. "We will go" is the better translation. Whether this was an invitation to someone living far from Jerusalem, or to David living in Jerusalem, the statement expressed determination and dedication. After the tent had been set up and the ark placed in it, no doubt David frequently went there to worship God, for David's love for God's house was well-known (27:4; 65:4; 2 Sam. 7:1-3). He rejoiced at an opportunity to go with other worshipers to praise the Lord. Though he lived in the holy city, David did not take this privilege for granted, for he had a heart for God and for God's house. David was a man after God's own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). The pilgrim coming from a distance would not complain about the journey, for his heart was set on the Lord. Love makes burdens lighter and distances shorter. Next in verses 3-5, we need a heart for thanks and praise. The Lord had told His people that one day there would be a central place where they would worship (Ex. 23:14-19; Deut. 12:5-7, 11-14, 17-19; 14:23; 16:2, 16), and that place was Jerusalem. The Lord instructed David that the place on Mount Moriah where he had built the altar was to be the site for the temple (1 Chron. 21-22). When the psalmist looked at the city, he thought of unity and security. Just as the stones of the walls and houses were "bound firmly together," so the people were bound together in their worship of the Lord and their respect for the throne. But it was the praise of Jehovah that was central (v. 4). God had commanded that His people go to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (Ex. 23:14-19; John 4:20-21), and the people went as worshipers and not sightseers. In verses 6-9, we find that we need a heart for prayer. The name "Jerusalem" means "foundation of peace," and yet the city has been a center of conflict for centuries. If we understand biblical prophecy correctly, there can be no peace in Jerusalem or on earth until the Prince of Peace reigns on David's throne (Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-33). So, when we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we are actually praying, "Thy kingdom come" (Matt. 6:10) and "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:20). Jesus wept over the city because they were ignorant of the peace God had for them (Luke 19:41-48) and had rejected their own Messiah (John 11:47-48). Our prayers must come from our heart because we love God and love His people. The "prosperity" mentioned in verse 6 does not refer to material wealth but primarily to the spiritual enrichment that comes to those who love God, His Son (born a Jew), His Word (a Jewish book), and His chosen people. "Salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22). Christian believers have a debt to Israel for the untold spiritual wealth they have given us (Rom. 15:25-27). The emphasis here is on the city of God, the chosen people of God (vv. 6-8), and the house of God (v. 9). Today, because we are God's people, citizens of the heavenly country, we must pray for one another and for the ministry of the churches. We belong to each other, we need each other, and we must help each other. We must pray for peace within and among the churches. We must pray for the needs of "our brothers and friends," and surely, we must pray for the lost. A heart for God will surely be a heart filled with praise and prayer. God bless!

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces." For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, "Peace be within you." Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good. Welcome back to Pastor's Chat! Thank you so much for your patience these past two weeks while we were away on tour to the Holy Land with a wonderful group of 16 people. There was at least one person from each of the four churches I've been privileged to minister to as a pastor. We had a glorious experience as we went to the places where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lived and minister to the people during His thirty-three and half years on earth. At the end of my video chat today I've included a collage of pictures that highlight the last three days of our time in Jerusalem. Please watch it to the very end. Psalm 122 was written by King David as one of his three “Pilgrim Psalms.” No doubt this Psalm was written after he had captured the city of Jerusalem from the Jebusites, built the City of David, and set up the Tent of Tabernacle on Mt. Moriah for the Ark of the Covenant. David hears the people as they voice their desire to go and worship in the house of the LORD and he is eager to join them. In this Psalm we first see people with a “Heart for God” (vv. 1-2). The people that joined me on this trip had this same heart in seeking to worship the Lord. And now can say “Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem”. We also notice that the people in David's time had a “Heart for Praise” (vv.3-5). The Lord had told His people that one day there would be a central place where they would worship (Ex. 23:14-19; Deut. 12:5-7, 11-14, 17-19; 14:23; 16:2, 16), and that place was Jerusalem. The Lord instructed David that the place on Mount Moriah where he had built the altar was to be the site for the temple (1 Chron. 21-22), and He also gave David the plans for the structure (1 Chron. 28). His choice was a wise one, for not only was Mount Zion an almost impregnable citadel, but it was located on the border of Judah and Benjamin and helped to bind the northern and southern tribes together. King Saul was from Benjamin, and David was from Judah. When the psalmist looked at the city, he thought of unity and security. Just as the stones of the walls and houses were "bound firmly together," so the people were bound together in their worship of the Lord and their respect for the throne. The church today already has spiritual unity (Eph. 4:1-6), but we must endeavor to maintain it and demonstrate it before a watching world (John 17:20-23). As for security, Jesus promised that the very forces of hell could not stand before the onward march of His church (Matt. 16:18). But it was the praise of Jehovah that was central (v. 4). God had commanded that His people go to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (Ex. 23:14-19; John 4:20-21), and the people went as worshipers and not sightseers. Yes, there was much to see in Jerusalem, but giving thanks to the Lord was their most important task and their greatest privilege. The third thing that David and the people had was a “Heart for Prayer and Peace” (vv. 6-9) that would produce “prosperity”. This prosperity mentioned in verse 6 does not refer to material wealth but primarily to the spiritual enrichment that comes to those who love God, His Son (born a Jew), His Word (a Jewish Book), and His chosen people! Our awesome team truly experienced that these past two weeks and we will never be the same! Maybe one day you can join us on a trip to the Holy Land!

On this final episode in our series on the Songs of Ascent, we get to hear from Back Creek Church Pastor Matt Carr as he brings us the final message from Psalm 134. Enjoy Your Lunch Break! Join the conversation in the Break Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/Support us financially: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LnchBrkHymnSingBuy Stuff: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-lunch-break-hymn-sing/ENJOY YOUR LUNCH BREAK!

Brotherly unity is the theme of Psalm 133, a psalm of David. As the pilgrims reach Jerusalem where they will be united with their kin in celebration of the Passover or one of the other feasts, it would be fitting they sing this Psalm. ⁠Join us on today's episode in our study of the Songs of Ascent! ⁠Join the conversation in the Break Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/Support us financially: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LnchBrkHymnSingBuy Stuff: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-lunch-break-hymn-sing/ENJOY YOUR LUNCH BREAK!“Oh, How Good It Is” led by Keith & Kristyn Getty Recorded LIVE at The Gospel Coalition Stream this song and others on our official Spotify channel: https://bit.ly/kkgprofileKeith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Ross Holmes, and Stuart Townend; © 2012 Gettymusic and Parakeet Boots Music (adm. by MusicServices.org) and Townend Music (adm. UK & Europe by Thankyou Music)

David vowed to build a permanent dwelling for the Lord. The Lord vowed to make him a house in preparation for the Covenant King who would rule with Justice and Righteousness forever! Enjoy Your Lunch Break! Check out the Psalter Project here: https://psalterproject.comThe Covenant King© 2015 Psalter Project. Translation: Derek Moore. Music: Emily Moore.Join the conversation in the Break Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/Support us financially: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LnchBrkHymnSingBuy Stuff: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-lunch-break-hymn-sing/

Psalm 131 is a Psalm of David, written about himself as a prayer to the Lord and his relationship with Him.The theme of this Psalm is Real Hope that is found in the Lord alone. This is a short Psalm , only 3 verses, and yet so much is packed in these three verses.Join us today as we dive into this Psalm! Join the conversation in the Break Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/Support us financially: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LnchBrkHymnSingBuy Stuff: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-lunch-break-hymn-sing/Check out Nathan Drake's ministry here: https://www.reawakenhymns.com/be-still-my-soulENJOY YOUR LUNCH BREAK!

At his lowest point, the psalmist cries out to the Lord to hear his cry! And the Lord did. He gives hope to His Chosen people through His Son, Jesus Christ. We will wait for Him!Song - I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130)Album - Hymns (Live)Artists - Shane & ShaneAuthors - Stuart Townend, Keith Getty, Jordan Kauflin, Matthew MerkerArrangers - Daniel GalbraithPublishers - Getty MusicCCLI Song No. 7118914Join the conversation in the Break Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/Support us financially: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LnchBrkHymnSingENJOY YOUR LUNCH BREAK!

In fearing the Lord, we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to Him. Those that despise and reject Him live miserable lives.Join us today as we sing Psalm 128 to the tune of "Come Thou Fount" We even put a little country into it, y'all!Join the conversation in the Break Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/Support us financially: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LnchBrkHymnSingWear our gear! https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-lunch-break-hymn-sing/ENJOY YOUR LUNCH BREAK!

Today we look at my favorite Psalm, Psalm 127.“Note that the Psalmist does not bid the builder cease from laboring, nor suggest that watchmen should neglect their duty, nor that men should show their trust in God by doing nothing: nay, he supposes that they will do all that they can do, and then he forbids their fixing their trust in what they have done, and assures them that all creature effort will be in vain unless the Creator puts forth his power.” - Charles SpurgeonToday we are singing Psalm 127 as written by The Corner Room Music. You can check out more of their music here: https://www.cornerroommusic.com©2015 Corner Room Music Official website: cornerroommusic.comiTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/th... Lyrics are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Today we sing Psalm 126! The tune is written by Matt Searles, a past guest, and featured on his album "Now and Not Yet" Enjoy Your Lunch Break! Join the conversation in the Break Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/Support us financially: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LnchBrkHymnSingRestore Our Fortunes© Matt Searles and Miriam Jonesfrom now and not yet, released October 1, 2011all rights reserved

From the ESV Study notes: This Psalm (125) instills confidence in the Lords people, that remaining loyal to Him really is worth it. The leading image is of Zion as a city surrounded by sheltering mountains. It is possible that some of Zions citizens might go over to evil, but the Lord will see to it that he publicly vindicates His faithful ones.Today we sing this to the tune of "Be Thou My Vision'. Enjoy Your Lunch Break!Join the conversation in the Break Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/Support us financially: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LnchBrkHymnSing'All Like Mount Zion, Unmoved Shall Endure'Copyright 2010 The Board of Education and Publication of the Reformed Presbyterian Church Of North AmericaCrown and Covenant Publications

Charles Spurgeon says of this psalm that "this is a good lesson for us to learn from the past experience of the Lord's people. God and God alone did deliver his servants in the past and herein is our confidence for the present and the future; our help is in the name the revealed and manifested character of Jehovah, the Creator of heaven and earth"Today we get to sing Psalm 124 as written by Wendell Kimbrough. Wendell is a songwriter and performer reimagining the Psalms for emotionally honest modern worship. His music makes space for the whole range of human experience, from lament, grief, and anger to playful, joyful celebration. With singable melodies, steeped in the sounds of folk, gospel, and soul music, Wendell's songs are sung at hundreds of churches around the world. His music has been featured in Worship Leader Magazine and World Magazine; and Under the Radar Media selected his 2016 album, Psalms We Sing Together, as an honorable mention for albums of the year. In 2020, he was invited to serve on American Songwriter Magazine's prestigious panel of lyric judges. Wendell lives with his wife and daughter in Fairhope, Alabama, where he serves as worship leader and artist-in-residence at Church of the Apostles.Find his music here: https://www.wendellk.com/#aboutWords and Music: Wendell Kimbrough & Jason Pears ©2017 Wendell Kimbrough (BMI) & Jason Made Music/Songtrust (BMI). CCLI #7100094

Psalm 123 is a Psalm of Lament. It would seem that our community of pilgrims found themselves to be the subject of much contempt and scorn.How do we handle contempt and scorn? Let us journey with these pilgrims as they teach us a thing or two about Gods mercy.Join the conversation in the Break Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/Support us financially: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LnchBrkHymnSingWords from Sing Psalms © Free Church of Scotland Psalmody Committee (2003), used with permissionTune: Rock of AgesENJOY YOUR LUNCH BREAK!

Psalm 122 was written by David for the people to sing as they journeyed to Jerusalem for the holy feasts. Jerusalem was the center of their worship, so it would be natural for them to sing of their joy in entering into her gates, and to pray for peace and prosperity within her walls.Today we sing this Psalm to a tune that MIGHT be familiar to you! Tune in to find out! Join the conversation in the Break Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/Support us financially: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LnchBrkHymnSingENJOY YOUR LUNCH BREAK!Tune: Jeremy Casella ©2002 2037 Music (ASCAP).admin. by The Loving Company.Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Our Help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and Earth. The psalmist points out that He is the maker of Heaven and earth to show His universal and unmatched power. He made all things, and so for our help to come from Him means that no weapons, earthy or demonic, will stand against us! As Spurgeon said “It is vain to trust the creatures - it is wise to trust the Creator”Join us today as we sing Psalm 121 to the tune of "There Is A Fountain". Join the conversation in the Break Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/Support us financially: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LnchBrkHymnSingENJOY YOUR LUNCH BREAK!

Psalm 120 to 134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent, or the Pilgrim Psalms. Many of Gods people would sing as they made their journeys into Jerusalem each year for the Feast for Tabernacles, The Passover Feast and the Feast of First fruits.For the next 15 weeks we will be taking a closer look into these Psalms. We hope you enjoy the series that we have called - The Pilgrim Psalms - Songs of Ascent.Today, we are starting with Psalm 120 - Deliver Me, O Lord. We will be singing this metrical Psalm to the tune of 'Be Thou My Vision'. The Lyrica can be found here:https://freechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sing-Psalms-Combined-Words-Edition-incl.-Scottish-Psalter-with-bookmarks-Tune-Reccomendations.pdfJoin the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5120813811329469/Socialize with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbreakhymnsing/ENJOY YOUR LUNCH BREAK!

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Holy Restraint Along The Pilgrim Path part 3 Subtitle: The Pilgrim Psalms Speaker: Ron Lovins Broadcaster: Grace Baptist Church Event: Midweek Service Date: 1/13/2021 Bible: Psalm 131 Length: 40 min.

Pilgrim Psalms are also known as Songs of Ascent which the Israelites would sing on their journeys to Zion. Psalms 121 brings us the comfort we need to know we can be confident in God to be our strength and deliverance in times of trouble.

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In Search of Shalom - The Success Every Man Desires : Roy HanschkeMore about Roy HanschkeRoy has 30-plus years experience in Denver Christian radio, now on the KPOF Denver morning show where he shares a daily devotional and prayer time and conducts a variety of interviews along with a team. Roy has pastoral experience, conducts speaker's clinics at the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference and speaks often to men’s groups. Roy holds earned degrees in Biblical studies and Christian Education. He's a husband, father and grandfather of a whole bunch of kids. About Roy's BOOK"In Search of Shalom - The Success Every Man Desires" This is an empowering journey for men who desire to experience the life God designed for them - life to the full. The fifteen chapter journey is based on Psalms 120-134, the Pilgrim Psalms. It's brief and to the point, just what most men want! It's a great book for one man, a dad and a son, two friends or a group. When a man experiences Shalom and brings it home his whole world begins to change for the glory of God, and his family notices!

In our conclusion of the Pilgrim’s Progress series through Psalms 120-134, Pastor Gary looks at the final four chapters and their emphasis on satisfaction and contentment, worshiping the Lord, and keeping unity in the Church. Our lives in Christ are a journey of faith as we make pilgrimage to our heavenly Jerusalem, “the city of the living God” (Heb. 12:22). May the study of these “Pilgrim Psalms” encourage us and challenge us to live out our faith until we reach our ultimate reward.

In our conclusion of the Pilgrim’s Progress series through Psalms 120-134, Pastor Gary looks at the final four chapters and their emphasis on satisfaction and contentment, worshiping the Lord, and keeping unity in the Church. Our lives in Christ are a journey of faith as we make pilgrimage to our heavenly Jerusalem, “the city of the living God” (Heb. 12:22). May the study of these “Pilgrim Psalms” encourage us and challenge us to live out our faith until we reach our ultimate reward.

Pastor Mark is on the 11th sermon in the Ascent Series.  This week, the sermon text is from Psalm 132.

March 3 message

Pastor Mark preaches out of Psalm 131: A Calm & Quiet Soul

On the 2nd Sunday of Lent, Pastor Mark preaches out of Psalm 130: Repentance

Pastor Mark preached out of Psalm 133.

Pastor Mark continues the series with a message out of Psalm 128: Blessing!

Pastor Tom will continues in the Ascent series, teaching out of Psalm127: Partnership with God. 

Pastor Mark continues the Ascent series with a message from Psalm 126: With Shouts of Joy!

Pastor Mark returned this week to continue the Pilgrim Psalms series: Look Up!, based on Ps. 123.

Pastor Mark preaches on Psalm 122, the third message in the Ascent series - Joy in the House of the Lord.

Pastor Mark's text for this message is Psalm 121.

Pastor Mark Van Haitsma began a new series for the new year based on Psalm 102 -- Ascent: the pilgrim psalms - and the first message, No Satisfaction in Meskak.

Speaker:  Jon Thompson Scripture:  Psalms 121 Description:  Exegeting Psalms 121 -- Series Title:  Let The Light In: Psalms Series Description:  If there is one book that invites us, reminds us, and teaches us that it is okay to be fully human with God it is the book of Psalms. It is like a roller coaster. It is a spiritual journey, record, catalog, and journal of all emotions and encounters the people of God have had with God while walking through life. This one books allows us to express everything we will experience over a life time.

Speaker:  Jon Thompson Scripture:  Psalms 121 Description:  Exegeting Psalms 121 -- Series Title:  Let The Light In: Psalms Series Description:  If there is one book that invites us, reminds us, and teaches us that it is okay to be fully human with God it is the book of Psalms. It is like a roller coaster. It is a spiritual journey, record, catalog, and journal of all emotions and encounters the people of God have had with God while walking through life. This one books allows us to express everything we will experience over a life time.

Nan Van Zwol, Psalms 120-134, WATW, Bel Pres

Slide 1 Psalm 130:1-2 Slide 2 Genesis 16:11, 13-1 Slide 3 Psalm 130:3-4 Slide 4 Psalm 103:1-5 Slide 5 Psalm 130:5-6 Slide 6 Psalm 130:7-8 Sermon notes: Psalms 120-134 are called "Pilgrim Psalms" or "Psalms of Ascent" sung by worshippers who journeyed to the temple and so "ascended" for the annual feasts. Psalm 120 begins in a distant country in hostile surroundings. Psalm 122 pictures the pilgrim arriving in Jerusalem. The rest of the psalms move toward the temple, recollecting the goodness of The Lord along the way. We too are pilgrims. We travel through a distant country. The land we travel is hostile to our faith. We have trouble here. But this land is not our home. Our destination is the presence of our King. As you read, you'll hear the struggle of the pilgrim. But listen to his longing to be in God's presence. Psalm 130:1-2 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; 2 O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. "out of the depths" psalmist prays to God in a desperate state. Depth may have been fear, depression, illness, poverty, failure... Does God hear? Does he listen when we pray? Genesis 16:11, 13-14 - The Lord hears and sees Hagar 11 The angel of the Lord also said to her: “You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, (meaning, “God hears”) for the Lord has heard of your misery. 13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” ("El Roi") for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; (“the well of the Living One who sees me”) it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered. When you see Egypt in the OT, it represents a place of refuge. Sometimes positive, often negative. Abram ran to Egypt to escape a famine (Gen. 12). Sarai had turned to an Egyptian to escape barrenness. Hagar had run to Egypt to escape misery. In later generations, the Israelites would run to Egypt over and over for help. Egypt would come to represent the Israelite's attempt to find salvation apart from God. But Egypt also came to represent something else - slavery. Israel's salvation apart from God didn't save them, but enslaved them. It is God who rescues and saves. Many times we run to our Egypt, looking for help, looking for relief, but God hears and sees you. He alone can help and save. Have you prayed like that? Psalm 130:1-2 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; 2 O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. He hears and sees you. Psalm 130:3-4 3 If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. The deepest depth to which our souls can sink is in sin. Sin separates us from God. It builds a wall between us and our Creator. It interrupts the relationship that he desires with us. If he kept a record of our sins, no one could stand. But with God, there is forgiveness. Sin is our greatest problem. It causes all our relationship problems. It sparks all our fears. It is our worst illness. It is our deepest debt. It is our greatest failure. But "with God there is forgiveness". He does not keep a record of our sins, but puts them away. Psalm 103:1-5 1 Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit. and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 130:5-6 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Like a watchman standing at his post all night, excited to see the morning light. The psalmist longs for The Lord to come to him - in love, knowing that he has God's favor. Knowing that he will see God's kindness, mercy, grace If you don't long for him, you've forgotten his goodness. Psalm 130:7-8 7 O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Put your hope in The Lord. We heard earlier that forgiveness was with The Lord, Now unfailing love (unconditional, loyal, unending love) and redemption are with him. His full redemption forgives and frees us from sins consequences.