Ascent – Old Testament Survey

Psalm 133

When the unity God has given us is lived out, we are blessed and we bless those around us as-well. We live the life God created for us to live and we are blessed. We also display the love of God in such a way that those around us want that life too.

Psalm 133 (Possibly written after 1 Chronicles 12.38 occurred; read the study.)

Verse 1-This short psalm focuses our attention on unity (as does Jesus in John 17). This is also a Psalm of Ascents with David as the author. Therefore, the focus of the unity is found in Zion, or Jerusalem. A summary of the passage, then, could be: In order to dwell together in unity we need to participate in corporate worship together. Hebrews 10.19-25 focuses on our need to assemble together. It is housed in a passage on accountability (Hebrews 10.26-31).

Verse 2-Looking at the imagery in verse two we see hyperbole being used to represent the all-consuming grace of God pouring over the unified tribes. The High Priest wore a breastplate on which were the twelve stones representing each tribe. As God’s Spirit or grace, the oil, was poured down, it encompassed all the tribes. The unity was there, now it is blessed by the presence of God.

Verse 3-Mount Hermon is geographically for the Israelites what Aaron was spiritually for them. God proclaimed that He would bless the Israelites with water from Mount Hermon (Leviticus 25.21 and Deuteronomy 28.8). This blessing comes through the source of the Jordan River and through the gathering of clouds that produces the rain (or the dew) for the entire land. God uses His creation to bless His creatures.

David proclaims unity that needs to be lived out. The unity is there, but it needs to be acted. Jesus proclaims our unity. We do not need to pray for unity, but we need to live out that unity (Ephesians 4). If you notice, the unity in Ephesians is also couched in the concept of corporate worship and the working out of the gifts with which the Holy Spirit has endowed each believer. How are you holding yourself accountable through the unifying presence of God in the lives of fellow believers?

An outside link to Mount Hermon.

Psalm 125

Verses 1-2-Our lives need to be built on the rock of God (Matthew 7.25).

Psalm 125

Another Song of Ascents.

Verses 1-2-Our lives need to be built on the rock of God (Matthew 7.25).

Verse 3-The psalmist reminds us that the rule of the evil are temporary and asks us to remember the rule of God is eternal.

Verse 5-There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to destruction (Proverbs 14.12). God will lead the crooked on their own crooked path. He gives them the desires of their heart.

When we follow what God has called us to do, He will remove the evil and the evildoers from the land. The question remains: “Why is evil still in the land?” What should believers do? What should you do?

Psalm 123

Verses 1-2-Psalm 11.4 reminds us that God sees and trains His eyes on us. It is good, then, for us to train our eyes on Him. This has been illustrated in these studies (for example, Saul and Goliath), when we take our eyes off of God we tend to fail.

Psalm 123

This is another Song of Ascents.

Verses 3-4-The only source of mercy is from God, as we come to His House to worship Him corporately, we need to receive that mercy.

Where do we look for help? Jesus (John 17.1) and Stephen (Acts 7.55) both looked to God above during times of persecution. Where do we look for discipleship? It needs to be from God and the people He places in our lives. Who is in your life guiding you through this world, showing God’s mercy and living His example?

Psalm 120

Psalm 120 is one of the songs of ascents. The others are Psalms 121-134. These were sung by the Israelites as they journeyed to Jerusalem for their annual feasts. Some say these are what Jesus sang on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed by Judas (John 18).

Although this Psalm is not ascribed to David, it does reflect what was happening in David’s journeys through 1 Samuel.

Men, such as Doeg, were lying and stating evil of David. This does cause pain that lasts throughout life. Words can and do destroy us.

Meshech is a descendant of Japheth. He, and the location, are in major judgment from God in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 27.13, 21; 38.2, 3; and 39.1). Kedar is the second born from Ishmael. Kedar, the location, was to be destroyed by judgment from God (Isaiah 21.16 and 60.7).

The writer speaks his heart for peace while those around him speak for war. This could be a veiled reference to the time David spent in Gath with the Philistines who did not desire peace with Israel. Not much hope nor mention of God in the passage outside of deliverance from these evildoers.