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.
Psalm 127 NLT
the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries will do no good.
2 It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones.
3 Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
4 Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
“The first great fact which emerges from our civilization is that today everything has become ‘means.’ There is no longer an ‘end’; we do not know whither we are going. We have forgotten our collective ends, and we possess great means: we set huge machines in motion in order to arrive nowhere.”
Someone said that the three most important values to the Hebrews were one’s house or home, city, and the ability to work hard (labour). With God at the centre, the Hebrews believed that these three fundamental ideals should shape your life.
Although ancient, these three values are just as important to me now.
- One’s home, not just the physical building, but the relationships - family, extended family, others invited into relationship - community - is vital.
- One’s city also holds some form of importance. Not just the city of one's birth but the city you reside in now. We care called to love the city, to pray and work for the shalom - the flourishing, the health of the city. Our love for our cities is demonstrated in our working for the good of the city and our tears as we pray over the city.
- Thirdly, there is the hard work that is required if any difference is going to be made. One of the greatest building projects of the ancient world was the Tower of Babel. But all the organization skill and physical energy that was put into that project led to a shattered community and garbled communication. Eugene Peterson wrote:
Effort, even if the effort of religious (perhaps especially when the effort is religious), does not in itself justify anything.
No wonder the psalmist identifies these three values and makes the claim that without God’s favour on my house, my city and my hard work it is all in vain.
These three words "Unless the Lord", become a clear message to our lives so that the other phrase the psalmist uses – "in vain"– are never uttered by the Lord over our house, city and labour.
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