June 8, 2024 - Psalms 126-130

All these psalms are “psalms of ascent.”  That is, the psalmist seems to envision going up to the temple to recall God’s mighty acts for Israel or to give thanks for the same, his protections and his provisions.  The opening verses of the first of these psalms:  “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.  Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’  The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad”  (126:1-3).  The psalmist remembers a time when Israel could only dream of God restoring the nation and doing great things for the people.  But, as Peter encourages us, “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise” (2 Peter 3:8-9).  That is, we might think the day will never come when we will receive all the promises of God, the day in which we will be delivered from all our enemies.  We might, with Israel, believe we can “only dream about” such a day.  But, oh no, our God makes good on his promises and, as he fulfilled his promises to Israel, so he will fulfill all his promises to us.

O gracious Hand that freely gives

The fruit of earth our toil to bless!

O Love, by which the sinner lives,

O let our tongue that love confess!

Our God for all our need provides;

His sun alike o'er all doth shine;

From none His glorious beams He hides;

So rich, so free, His love divine.   --Arthur T. Russell (1848)