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.
If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
2 if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.
6 Praise be to the Lord,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Hindsight, or looking back, is a wonderful gift. David, the psalmist in Psalm 124, asks the question: "If the Lord had not been on our side?"
Have you ever thought, "What if God wasn’t there for me?" Hindsight allows us to see God’s workings for us in the midst of our cries for help, in our pain, during our suffering, when we are blinded by the immensity of my dilemma.
The Psalms use metaphors and creative language to paint the picture of our humanity and our pain. People attacking us, being swallowed up alive, anger flaring against us, floods engulfing us, torrents sweeping over us and raging waters. We cannot see a way through at the time, as the waves crash over us.
But then David accurately remembers:
"We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken and we have escaped."
We are FREE.
And in that moment of release and freedom, we hear a gentle whisper,
"If the Lord had not been on our side?"
There are often no words to describe the release - only tears of gratitude and thanksgiving. Our emotion filled voice attempts to give God praise but no sound comes. We think: "If I could only let God know what my heart is feeling."
And it is then that I realise he knows, and no words can articulate the unsaid words of my heart. This is why the psalmist make the simple and clear statement.
"Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Thank you, Lord, that you were on my side.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for the countless times when you have rescued me. There are times I know you rescued me, and I am sure there were times you have intervened that I will never know. My heart is filled with such gratitude for all you do for me. I thank you for who you are. You are my God in whom I trust with all that I am and all that I have. I trust you for today and all the days ahead that I cannot see yet. I know you love me and care for me beyond words I can speak here and now. I love you, Lord. Amen.
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