Read Psalm 126
Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of song is this (superscript)? Who had done what (Psalm 126:1a)? With what effect upon the singers (verse 1b)? With what were their mouths filled (Psalm 126:2a)? And their tongues (verse 2b)? Who (verse 2c) said what (verse 2d)? Who else said this (Psalm 126:3a)? With what result (verse 3b)? What prayer does Psalm 126:4 make? In what condition do believers sow (Psalm 126:5a)? In what condition do they reap (verse 5b)? How much do they do this sort of sowing (Psalm 126:6a–b)? How surely will they do this sort of reaping (verse 6c–d)?
What sustains believers’ diligence in seasons of sorrow? Psalm 126 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord sustains believers in their seasons of sorrow by the greatness and certainty of the joy into which He will deliver them.
The Pleasure of Salvation, Psalm 126:1–2b. YHWH saves His people in order to give them joy. The Lord Jesus spoke so that His joy might be in us (cf. John 15:11, John 17:13). He gave us to pray in His Name (cf. John 16:24), and to receive His inspired Scriptures (cf. 1 John 1:4) that our joy might be full. For His Zion, who are His by election and redemption, their captivity (Psalm 126:1a) was a prelude to overwhelming joy (Psalm 126:1-2b).
The Praise of Salvation, Psalm 126:2-3. The Lord shows forth His greatness in the great work of creation. So also, He shows forth that greatness in the great works of His providence. But the greatest work of His providence is the work of redemption. It is this work that causes the whole world (Psalm 126:2c–d), and especially His people (Psalm 126:3), to praise the greatness of His work.
The Prayer of Salvation, Psalm 126:4. This Psalm may have been entirely prophetic, relating the gladness, while yet in the midst of the sorrow. Or, it may be taking a previous, already laughed-over, deliverance as an encouragement to pray for a new deliverance from a new captivity. In either case, it applies to believers throughout all generations, who have experienced much captivity and tears. We know how His work in/for them ends.
The Perseverance of Salvation, Psalm 126:5-6. Psalm 126:5 establishes a principle, and then Psalm 126:6 drives it home. In verse 6, there is a doubling of the verb for going (verse 6a) and for coming (verse 6c). The first doubling lays a heavy emphasis upon the determination and perseverance of the one who serves the Lord and walks with Him, despite the current sorrow. The second doubling lays a heavy emphasis upon the certainty of the rejoicing and the fruitfulness that they shall have at last. For believers, it is this certainty by which the Lord sustains their determination. And He does so, in part, by giving them songs like this to sing.
What sorts of sorrows do you have that hinder you in serving the Lord well in set times of worship and in the whole of your life? What is the greatness of the joy that the worship times set before you? What is the certainty of the joy that the worship times set before you? How does this help you in this age of labor and sorrow?
Sample prayer: Lord, how great are Your works in all of creation and history! But greatest of all is Your work of redeeming us. For, You have brought us out of captivity by the blood and righteousness of Your own Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, You have saved us by Him Himself, Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross. And now You set His own joy before us. Surely, we already laugh and sing and say, “The Lord has done great things for us!” But, how much more shall we do so on that day when all weeping has ceased, and the full harvest has been brought in. So, grant unto us to know You and Your salvation in Christ as we worship You, by the help of Your Spirit, which we ask in the Name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP126 “All, Like Mount Zion” or TPH126A “When Zion’s Fortunes God Restored”
No comments:
Post a Comment