Psalms 120 – 135 are a series of 15 Psalms sung by pilgrims either on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the festivals or at the festivals themselves. Together they are called the "Psalms of Ascent".
Over the next several days, I want to explore some of the ways these ancient Psalms sung by pilgrims many years ago relate to us today.
These Psalms speak of hope, passion, future dreams, desire and trust while on a journey that reminds them, and us, of past memories, present sufferings and future promises.
The Psalms of Ascent point us to the hope that is present in the midst of whatever journey you are on.
I took my troubles to the Lord;
I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
2 Rescue me, O Lord, from liars
and from all deceitful people.
3 O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you?
How will he increase your punishment?
4 You will be pierced with sharp arrows
and burned with glowing coals.
5 How I suffer in far-off Meshech.
It pains me to live in distant Kedar.
6 I am tired of living
among people who hate peace.
7 I search for peace;
but when I speak of peace, they want war!
Psalm 120 is a lament. It is an urgent prayer, a desperate cry to God for deliverance from lying, toxic people. It's a calling out to God when you are surrounded by those who twist the truth and constantly stir up conflict, and all you want is peace. Psalm 120 captures the spiritual reality that the journey toward God often begins by honestly admitting that your current environment or circumstances are painful, toxic, and devoid of peace.
The pilgrims are on their way to Jerusalem - the City of Peace. They are lamenting that they find themselves living away from their beloved Jerusalem. In an environment of ongoing hostility, they long for the time when they can enjoy peace. Psalm 120 is their urgent cry to get to their destination.
Practically, they know the hostilities won’t cease when they get to Jerusalem. My friends in Ethiopia and Uganda live in environments of hostility and violence. We live in environments of political and social hostility against what we believe in.
I get weary of justifying my faith when another hostile report is brought to my attention. I long for peace.
Yet rather than seeking the safety of Jerusalem, I should realize that my trust in God can shine in hostile places. In the midst of hostility around me, I am called to demonstrate grace, love, forgiveness, tolerance, compassion, speech ‘seasoned with salt’ and wisdom.
In the day that we live, with all the uncertainties and lies and violence and confusion, we need to remember the opening words of this first Psalm of Ascent
I took my troubles to the Lord;
I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
Yes, in the midst of trouble, God hears and answers.
In the midst of all that is going on, we are called to be God's people of peace - peacemakers - instruments of God’s peace.
Prayer
Dear Lord God, forgive me when I forget that it is you who have placed me in difficult surroundings. In the surroundings that I find myself, give me the right words to say, gracious actions to display, and the wisdom to know when silence should reign. Let me be an instrument of the beauty of your peace in every situation I find myself in. Amen.
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