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Wednesday 04/30/25
Thru the Bible: Psalm Book V: Chapters 125-128
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The Songs of Ascent Pt. 2
Psalm Book V – Psalms 125-128
Tonight we continue through the Songs of Ascents, picking back up in Psalm 125.
This Psalm makes use of Mount Zion as a symbol of God’s people. At the time of its composition, this only included those households who were circumcised into the Old Covenant, but now encompasses God, people of all ages and covenants.
To be sure there are some promises made in connection with Mount Zion which are intended for the Jews alone, but in most cases the symbolism of Mount Zion and the promises associated with it are inclusive of all God’s people.
Mount Zion, is a hill in Jerusalem, it became a place of great significance, representing God’s presence and protection.
In approximately 1000 B.C. at 30 years of age David was anointed King by his people which was a separate incident from Samuel anointing him years earlier. Shortly following this event, the newly crowned King David captured the Jebusite fortress in Jerusalem on Mount Zion. It was then known as the “stronghold of Zion,” but was renamed the “City of David,” solidifying his control over Jerusalem.
There David strategically established the political capital and then brought the Ark of the Covenant to Mount Zion, making it a center of worship for Israel.
It is here that David built his palace which only served to further solidify his authority and presence in the city.
The scriptures use these events as prophetic symbols, foreshadowing the coming of Messiah and His eventual Millennial reign there in Jerusalem.
So it is that Mount Zion, which is actually a small hill in Jerusalem, represents the place of God’s abiding presence with and among His people and the place from which the Messiah will rule the earth.
So you can readily see that promises associated with Mount Zion can have both specific reference to the Jewish nation during the Millennial Kingdom as well as God’s covenant people from all time periods, contingent on what promise is being referenced.
Mount Zion, is a pivotal location which is central to much that is spoken of throughout the Bible. It is intimately associated with several promises, primarily centered around God’s presence, deliverance, and the ultimate establishment of a glorious kingdom.
These promises include a place of God’s dwelling, a source of help and support, and the eventual restoration of a redeemed nation. Specifically, Mount Zion is described as a place where God is near to his people, a location from which help and deliverance are expected.
An overview of the promises associated with Mount Zion will help you grasp its significance as it is used throughout scripture:
- Isaiah 8:18 and Psalm 74:2 God is said to dwell there.
- Isaiah 24:23 speaks of His kingship and reign from there.
- Psalm 20:2 and Psalm 3:4 describe Mount Zion as the place of God’s help and support.
- Isaiah 2:2-3 promises that in the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be exalted, with all nations streaming to it.
- Micah 4:7 speaks of God making the lame His remnant and the driven away a strong nation, resulting in the Lord reigning from Mount Zion.
- Micah foretells Mount Zion as the location of an eternal kingdom of God, where He reigns over a redeemed and healed nation. And the New Testament has Mount Zion as referring to the heavenly Jerusalem, God’s holy and eternal city.
Symbolically coming to Zion is set forth as a means of receiving grace, while turning away from Zion is seen as moving away from grace.
By extension Mount Zion is used as an example of spiritual safety and security, of fixed immovableness which results in coming to God and placing our trust once and for all in Him. Furthermore believers are encouraged to be steadfast in their faith, not swayed by the world, just as Mount Zion stands firm.
So as we begin reading in Psalm 125 it makes sense that it is used symbolically for fixed immovability and eternal longevity.
Psalm 125:1-5,
“(1) A Song of Ascents.
Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
(2) As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.
(3) For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.
(4) Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, And to those who are upright in their hearts.
(5) As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, The LORD shall lead them away With the workers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel!”
With all we just learned about Mount Zion and our knowledge of how these Songs of Ascents are used in times of ascending the hills to Jerusalem during the major Feasts, the content of this Psalm makes a lot of sense.
- Passover, which represents God’s deliverance of His people from the world and sin
- Shavuot (Pentecost) which represents the first fruits or converts into the Kingdom of God following Jesus’ resurrection.
- Feast of Tabernacles which represents God’s coming to dwell in and among His people
Psalm 126:1-6,
This Psalm is also fittingly used as a Song of Ascents since its contents as well as its location in Book V in the greater book of Psalms almost certainly place it as following the Babylonian Exile. This Psalm therefore was likely written during or just after this pilgrimage to return home to Jerusalem and Mount Zion.
As you will remember there were three noteworthy returns, the first led by Zerubbabel and Joshua. The second group was led by Nehemiah and the third by Ezra.
[Many believe that Ezra led the second group but this is largely due to a misunderstanding regarding the name of the persian ruler mentioned in connection to his return. For more on this see – Zechariah & Haggai tag team Israel towards heart change
& Return to rebuild – the Historical account of Ezra]
Assuming this Psalm was written during one of these returns it would likely have been the first. The reason is because this first group numbered around 42,360 individuals, and is specifically mentioned as including servants and singers. Therefore it would make sense that composers would likely have been in this group as well.
“(1) A Song of Ascents.
When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream.
(2) Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
(3) The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad.
(4) Bring back our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South.
(5) Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. (6) He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.”
The purpose and meaning of this closing statement is uncertain.
It “could be” referring to actual seed they were either bringing with them from Babylon, or which may have still remained in the city, destroyed as it was.
I think however that this is metaphorical regarding the returnees themselves. They were taken from their homeland and sown in foreign soil, they now return fewer in number but excelling in hope.
This together with the next two psalms seem to indicate that time just after the initial group returning from Babylonian exile. The focus on protection and provision are what seem to place it in this time frame.
Back when we covered the book of Haggai we learned that soon after their return their hearts quickly became more mindful of their own lives, their own provisions and homesteads than they were of God and the Temple… at least at first.
This may seem surprising for if you remember, few Jews initially returned to Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile. Those who did seemed as if they wanted to return, at least in part, in order to honor God and worship Him as they’d father’s had.
During this time three classes of authority were joining together in the work. Zerubbabel the civil governor who is addressed in Haggai and in Ezra; Jeshua the high priest or ecclesiastical governor; and Haggai and Zechariah the prophets.
Now, as a result of the people’s initial preoccupation with their own lives, God judged them and diminished their prosperity. Though they had enough to live on, there was no abundance nor even a little extra. They could eat, drink, house and cloth themselves but it was always just barely sufficient.
This was the judgment of God on them. However, because they had no heart of discernment they needed the Lord to speak to them through the prophet.
Wwe learned that once the people heard what was happening and what to do, they responded. So we learn in this, that they did not have hardened hearts, but rather hearts which were dull and hard of hearing. As Tozer says, “The world was much with them.”
God, knowing the heart and Himself being merciful and gracious did not judge them harshly, but only allowed them enough to get by. He had promised them abundance in this land – which is what the aphorism “milk and honey” referred to, but they were NOT experiencing the promise. Yet, this did not provoke questions out of them. They simply kept their eyes on daily affairs and tried to do more to produce more. It never occurred to them that abundance or the lack thereof is never STRICKLY tied ONLY to the work you put into it. As the psalmist says, “Promotion comes from above” – Psalm 75.
So these three Pilgrim Psalms or Songs of Ascent – namely Psalms 126-128 being largely focused upon God’s faithfulness to provide in harvest, a looking to God for the prosperity of the womb and an acknowledgment of how vain is the hope of providing and defending oneself apart from God’s aid seem to line up quite nicely with this time period.
Psalm 127:1-5,
“(1) A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.
(2) It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.”
Every aspect of this Psalm I have seen quoted by Christians most of my life, though notably less so in recent years. That having been said though, this first portion has been a lighthouse out on turbulent waters many times in my life and I know this is true for countless others. It is a reminder that while we do in fact have skin in the game, that is in no way a replacement or substitute for our need for God’s help and intervention. It also reminds us that unless the Lord has signed off on your pursuits, it is a vain thing to run after them!
You really could look far and wide and never find such simple and yet profound wisdom for living than you find in just these first two verses of Psalm 127!
“(3) Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. (4) Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.
(5) Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.”
I’ve never seen this Psalm in the light I do now. Again this seems almost inescapably to be a post Babylonian exile psalm and one which has Israel returning in humility before the Lord.
Nothing their parents could have done would have saved them from exile 70 years prior and now this next generation (no doubt accompanied by some old timers from the exile) is returning to a city in ruins, whose walls are destroyed but they look with hope to their God Who in His faithfulness has delivered them and given them favor to return home!
The closing segment regarding children could very well be a continuation of their hope in God, for blessing them with offspring so as to not only rebuild, but grow strong again in numbers and such is most likely the focus of Psalm 128 which we will read next.
Psalm 128:1-6,
“(1) A Song of Ascents.
Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
(2) When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
(3) Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.
(4) Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.
(5) The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life.
(6) Yes, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!”
[See Haggai jogs memories & Rekindles devotion in Judah
& Nehemiah, Leadership Matters]
Blessings!
Tri
