Psalms 120 - 134

Click HERE to read the passage.

Today we'll take a look at 15 incredibly short songs David wrote reflecting on his thoughts at the time. While I know that ALL scripture is applicable and meaningful, for the sake of simplicity we'll just look at a few. You might highlight or underline those that have some special meaning to you, but here's a few that jump out at me.

David begins in chapter 120 and mentions just how tired he is in living with people who speak with deceit. He finds that despite his desire to reach a peace agreement with them, they continuously speak lies to him and have no desire for peace - only war.

Have you ever been around people like that?  Perhaps you've gone through a divorce or a sharp disagreement with someone else and no matter how hard you try to resolve difficult issues and find some sort of a peaceful resolution, it seems they only want to do one thing to you - attack!

So, where do you go for help in that type of situation?

Chapter 121 is your answer! 

David says, "My help comes from the Lord who made heave and earth!"  And, he reminds us that God is continuously watching over us. God is never out of the loop on what's going on in your life or how mistreated you are. He is the one Who watches over you and provides protection from these things.

David throws out a blessing in Chapter 122!  He asks God to prosper those who pray for peace in Jerusalem. I believe David may have been reminded of Genesis 12:3 when God offers a blessing to those who bless the descendants of Abraham (Israel). It says, "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

Want to be blessed?  Pray for Jerusalem and it's peace over constant harassment from the rest of the world, especially from other Arab states and the Palestinians.

In the next few chapters, David reflects on how blessed they are for God's ultimate protection. Without God, Israel would never have existed. Instead, as mentioned in Psalms 126, God has brought Israel together and has blessed them.

If fact, David offers some wise counsel and makes some good points in the next few chapters. Here are a few of them:

1)  Unless the Lord is involved in building your ministry, your business, your family or anything He puts on your heart to do, then its a waste in doing it. Don't do anything God isn't in!

2)  It's useless to work so hard from morning until late at night. God designed sleep as an important part of our lives. So many people take pride in working long hours, but it doesn't impress God. He likes hard work and honors hard work, but not long hours day after day. Any medical doctor will tell you this kind of life is a recipe for disaster.

3)  Children are a gift from God, and joy comes to the person who has many of them.

4)  The Lord blesses the family who fears Him.

5)  God offers us forgiveness of our sins as a way of turning our hearts into understanding His holiness and the need to fear Him when we go against His will.

6)  It's a wonderful and pleasant thing when people live in harmony with each other!  In Psalms 133, he compares the beauty of unity and harmony to that of the holy anointing oil poured over Aaron's (the High Priest) head and dripping onto his robe, and even the morning dew on Mount Hermon.

There's always something to gain from reading God's word!  What other things did you see that ministered to you?