March 27, 2019 (Wednesday)
(From Ray Fowler.org):We are studying the Psalms of Ascent together and when we reach Psalm 122 something odd happens. The psalmist arrives in Jerusalem. There are fifteen Psalms of Ascent, we’re only three psalms in, and we’re already there! How can that be?
The Psalms of Ascent have an upward motion. They begin in Psalm 120 with the psalmist crying out in trouble far away from Jerusalem, and they end in Psalm 134 with the psalmist offering up praise in the temple courts.
So the psalms have an upward motion, but they also have an up and down motion. If you break the fifteen psalms into five groups of three, you notice a pattern in each group of three psalms. The first psalm in each group focuses on trouble of some sort. The second psalm in each group focuses on trust. And then the third psalm in each group focuses on triumph or victory.
For example Psalm 120 begins with the psalmist in trouble in a far away land. In Psalm 121 he puts his trust in God. And in Psalm 122 he gathers with God’s people for worship in Jerusalem. (Click here to read Ray Fowler’s sermon on Psalm 122)
This pattern of trouble-trust-triumph repeats in Psalms 123-125, Psalms 126-128, Psalms 129-131 and then again in Psalms 132-134. We studied Psalms 120-122 individually. We shall study the remaining 12 Psalms of Asscent in groups of three.
New International Version (NIV)
A song of ascents. Of David.
I. Look forward to gathered worship each week (1-2)
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
II. Reap the benefits of gathered worship each week (3-5)
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up–
the tribes of the Lord–
to praise the name of the Lord
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
III. Reap the benefits of gathered worship each week (6-9)
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
Compare three translations side by side. Click here.
CHURCH
Michael Cochren, Bryan Fowler, & Micah Kuper
There was a time that I swore I would never go back
I was blind to the truth, didn’t know what I had
I was running, I was searching
But every place I turned for healing
Left me more broken than the last
Take me back To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that’s in my bones
Take me back To a preacher and a verse
Where they’ve seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church
Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost
Now I’m making my way to the foot of the cross
It’s not a trophy for the winners
It’s a shelter for the sinners
And it’s right where I belong
Take me back To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that’s in my bones
Take me back To a preacher and a verse
Where they’ve seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church I want to go to church
Oh, more than an obligation It’s our foundation
The family of God I know it’s hard
But we need each other We’re sisters and brothers
Oh, take me back To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that’s in my bones
Take me back To a preacher and a verse
Where they’ve seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church
Yeah, I want to go to church
Oh, I want to go, want to go, I want to go
Oh, I want to go to church
Oh, I want to go to church
