Psalms 126-130

MORE SONGS OF ASCENT

Psalm 126
A Harvest of Joy

1-3 When the LORD restored our fortunes, we laughed and rejoiced, and it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." It's important to the children of God that others recognize they are children of God and that he blesses them.
4-6 Restore our fortunes, O LORD; may those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy, may those who, weeping, sow the seed, come home joyful, carrying their sheaves. Give us confidence, LORD, that our work will not be in vain.

Psalm 127. Of Solomon.
God's Blessings in the Home

1-2 Vanity? A house without God as its builder, a city without God as its guard. You rise up early, go to bed late and are still anxious, while his beloved sleep.
3-5 Sons are the LORD's heritage, like arrows in a warrior's hands, and happy is the man who has a quiver full of them, for he will not feel shame before his enemies. A man's sons are his strength: A characteristic of men and their sons that mothers and daughters might not fully understand.

Psalm 128
The Happy Home of the Faithful

1-2 If you fear the LORD, you'll eat the labor of your hands, and you'll be happy.
3-4 You'll be blessed with a wife who is fruitful (a blessing to the home) and children who will be like olive shoots (springing up around their parents, as shoots around an olive tree).
5-6 "The LORD bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!" Doesn't this sound like a blessing you might hear in Fiddler on the Roof? Today, we might change it to "May the LORD in heaven bless you. May you see the church prosper all the days of your life. May you live to see your grandchildren serving the LORD. Peace be upon the LORD's body, the church."

Psalm 129
Prayer for the Downfall of Israel's Enemies

A blessing in the previous psalm for God's people, and now a curse on his enemies.
1-2 Israel says her enemies often attacked her in her youth, but they have not prevailed.
3-4 They plowed on my back, but the righteous LORD has cut the harnesses to their plows. He has broken their power.
5-8 May they be put to shame, withering like grass on a housetop, while those who pass by do not say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!" It would be a common thing to bless one's neighbor in his harvest, but not so the enemies of God.

Psalm 130
Waiting for Divine Redemption

1-2 Out of the depths I cry to the LORD to hear my voice.
3-4 No could survive if God held us accountable for all our sins, but he is forgiving and therefore to be revered.
5-6 My soul waits for the LORD and hopes in him – more than the one who watches for the morning. This is not just waiting, but a hopeful waiting, an anxious waiting.
7-8 A plea to Israel: "O Israel," hope in the LORD, for in Him there is steadfast love and redemption.