Psalm 125, Keyword: Durability And Psalm 126, Keyword: Delight

by Shattock, L. C. | Category: The Songs Of Ascents | Apr 1982

Pilgrimage demands persistency and submission to the sovereign will of God. Often the purpose of God is not at first understood, as in the experience of Job beneath the whirlwind of Satanic assault, or of Joseph sold into slavery, of Moses in the remote desert, or David in exile. Whether the way be dark or mysterious or simply the pathway of ordinary living, it is required of the pilgrim that he patiently pursue the purpose for which he is called. The inherent frailty of human nature sometimes awakens the thought that the way is too hard. These doubts are dispelled from the mind of the Psalmist. He looks toward Mount Zion and sees in that immovable mountain a representation of the soul fortified by faith. "They that trust in the Lord ... cannot be moved".

"The Lord is round about His people". This statement, linked with other scriptures, shows how completely the Lord has hedged us in. "His banner over me was love" (Song of Songs 2:4); "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. 33:27); "The Lord, He it is that doth go before thee" (Deut. 31:8); "The glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward"; (Isa. 58:8).

"The sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous".

A sceptre is the symbol of dominion. God will not allow the wicked to dominate the righteous. History has shown that, at times, the sceptre of wickedness has fallen upon the righteous. Christians have been persecuted by Jewish rulers, by Roman Caesars, by Spanish inquisitors and by other anti-Christian regimes. It is still true, nonetheless, that the sceptre of wickedness has never been allowed to rest, that is, to remain, upon God's people. As God controls the surging tides, so also He establishes the boundaries of Satanic power and human rebellion. For those who walk by faith, how wonderful the assurance, "sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace" (Rom. 6:14)! "They that trust ... cannot be moved". "This is the victory ... even our faith" (1 John 5:4).

Those who turn aside from the path of pilgrimage inevitably walk crooked ways. Saul in the Old Testament and Demas in the New are representative of such. In God's sight a man's path is either straight or crooked. Disobedience will be judged - "The Lord shall lead them forth". There is no vindictiveness in this statement, but the certain knowledge that God regards all wickedness as directed against Himself and wrongdoers are accountable to Him. In contrast - for the faithful - there is the assurance of peace (v.5).

Psalm 126, Keyword: Delight

"When the Lord brought back those that returned to Zion..." (RVM). To be brought back from a place of distance, thr6ugh experiences of wonderful protection and provision; to have escaped the snare of the adversary and to have had awakened within him a deepening trust in Jehovah; and then, at last, to have arrived in Zion, was altogether wonderful for the Psalmist and his companions. They said, "Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing". The Psalmist had come to the altar of God and to God his exceeding joy. Here he found, in fellowship with others, delight, joy and happiness in the memory of God's great goodness.

Even the nations, who did not acknowledge Israel's God, were compelled to recognize the wonderful work of Jehovah. "The Lord hath done great things for them", to which the pilgrims replied, "The Lord hath done great things for us ... we are glad". Should not we who have known a greater deliverance than Israel speak of the great things that the Lord has done for us? (cp. Luke 8:39). When did we last tell our story? Those who delight in the Lord cannot help but reflect their joy.

"Turn again our captivity" is a prayer that pleads to make effective the restoration that has begun. Having been brought back, the desire is now to be made fruitful. The channels of the southern areas of Judea dry up in the summer, but are filled with water when the autumn rains come. Parched lives, now restored, need the lifegiving streams that flow from God the Fountainhead.

There is work to be performed, often with tears. There can be no reaping unless first there is sowing. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy".

Again, determined purpose is pictured in the words, "he goeth on his way",

and although this is accompanied by weeping, yet "he shall come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him". "He goeth on his way". Sustained purpose, as we saw from the previous song, stems from trust in the Lord. Steadfastness will have its reward, and labour for Him will not be lost: "be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much ye know that your labour is not vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).

Shattock, L. C. | Apr 1982
The Songs Of Ascents