Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ps 120.1 and following. Indeed, The 15 Hymns of degrees (Psalm 120 to 134) retrace in an ascending way the deliverance and restoration of the residue of Israel. ForPsalm 120 finds these faithful in their captivity in the midst of the nations and makes us hear their sighs. They suffer from having to stay in the midst of “those who hate peace.” He ignores peace; even less can he give it. But what does the Lord say to his people? «… I give you my peace; I do not give you as the world gives” (John 14:25-27). Turning his gaze away from the scene of his affliction, the faithful to Psalm 121 raise them to the mountains (Zion, object of his hope: see Ps 87:1-3). But his help will come from above, from the Creator who established these mountains. Jehovah responds to this trust with touching personal promises (verses 3–8). Every believer can hear the Lord address them to him. He is in the world, but he will be kept there (verb six times repeated) everywhere and always in response to this prayer of his Savior. “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from evil” (verse 7; John 17:14-17).
For Psalms 120 to 134 bear the title of Song of Degrees. It was assumed that they had been reunited and had received this title together, because they were sung on a particular occasion, or because they related to some particular fact whose different stages they traced: for example, the return of the captives of Babylon to Jerusalem. Although dictated by the Spirit at different times they may have been sung in the order in which they appear here by the captives ascending from Babylon1, at different stages of their march to their homeland – just as the different parts of Ps. 68 were probably sung during the various stops of the procession that brought the ark back to the city of David. In these psalms, in fact, we will see that the feeling of approaching more and more of the house, of the place of rest, is strengthened until finally this goal is achieved with songs of praise.
(Important note: Since these Meditations were written (19th century), extensive studies of prophecy in relation to the Psalms have led to the application of these, and especially the Songs of the Degrees, more directly, to the circumstances and feelings of the future Jewish residue. Here he goes through his last afflictions. Returning to his country after the great tribulation, he still finds the last enemy, the Assyrian and his followers, and he goes through trials in which his faith is strengthened, his hope made safer and more enlightened, to finally be gloriously crowned.)
For the coming out of Babylon is celebrated early by the prophets in sublime language (Isa. 48:20; 52:11-12). But there is talk of deliverance from the yoke of Babylon after the captives were brought back to the days of Cyrus (Zech. 2:6-7). So that this return was, in type, the pledge of Israel’s return from another exile, namely their current dispersion. These psalms can therefore also respond to the sighs of the residue of the last days when he goes through the various periods of his tribulations, until the moment when he will be introduced into the rest of the reign. They can still, in spirit, in certain circumstances and experiences, be the appropriate expression of the feelings of every believer in the pilgrimage that leads him from this world into the glory and presence of the Lord – pilgrim walking in the company of Jesus.
These psalms were probably sung by Jews returning from captivity, for 200 singers are mentioned at the same time as Zerubbabel, and others also with Ezra, on their respective returns from Babylon (see Ezra 2:64–65; 7:7). And, following such a happy example, we too should, in spirit, sing, since we are on our way from Babylon to Jerusalem – from the city of man to the city of God – from this present evil century to the one to come. Our call made us leave the first, we tend towards the second. And becoming aware of it should put in our hearts a hymn. Yet we should feel “on the way” only, our souls cannot be satisfied with anything other than the heavenly Jerusalem. The wells of living water and the songs of joy cannot make the place of our pilgrimage our homeland. The 300 men chosen by Gideon are an illustration of this. The refreshing water could not stop them in their race. They took it only to be able to continue, that is to say, as a people on the march must do. They lap the water like a dog does in its race, without getting on their knees as if they were abandoning themselves to this relaxation.
It is in such a frame of mind that we should be. We are saved in hope. The Holy Spirit, true source of all consolation in the way, dwells in us to make us abound in hope (Rom. 15:13). But His presence in us is not Jerusalem for us; and the refreshments he gives us are not the banquet of the Lamb. These psalms are called in the Syriac version (second or third century AD): “Songs of the exit from Babylon”, which corresponds to the way we have considered them here. We will now look at each of them in more detail.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Prayer of an unjustly accused man:
- Deliverance sought by the Psalmist
Ps 25:20 Keep my soul and save me! Let me not be confused, When I seek my refuge with you! Ps 43:1 Render me justice, O God, defend my cause against an unfaithful nation! Deliver me from men of fraud and iniquity! Ps 59:3 Deliver me from evildoers, and save me from men of blood! Ps 119:134 Deliver me from the oppression of men, that I may keep your ordinances!
- Prayer, authentic prayer answered
Jb 34:28 They made God raise the cry of the poor, They made him attentive to the cries of the unfortunate. Ps 4:4 Know that the Lord has chosen a pious man for himself; Jehovah hears, when I cry out to Him. Ps 34:18 I will praise you in the great assembly, I will celebrate you in the midst of a many people. Pr 15:29 Jehovah moves away from the wicked, but He listens to the prayer of the righteous.
- Falsehood, warning against
Ps 5:7 Thou shalt kill the liars; Jehovah abhors men with blood and fraud. Ps 101.7 He who engages in fraud shall not live in my house; He who tells lies will not subsist in my presence. Pr 12:22 False lips are in horror to Jehovah, but those who act with truth are pleasing to Him. Col 3.9 Do not lie to one another, being stripped of the old man and his works,
- Social peace, the obligation to maintain the
Mk 9:51 Jesus, speaking to him, said to him: What do you want me to do to you? Rabbouni, replied the blind man, that I am recovering my sight. Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Rom 14:19 So let us seek what contributes to peace and mutual edification. Hb 12:14 Seek peace with all, and sanctification, without which no one will see the Lord.
From all of the above, we note that thispsalm is indeed the language that suits an Israelite restrained far from Jerusalem – the abodes of wickedness – although about to leave. Language (vs. 2-4) is often, as here presented as particularly responsible for offenses against God and his people. This was the sin of Doëg, the treacherous witness (Ps. 52). It will be that of the last enemy (Jude 15-16) according to what is said of the little horn that represents him (Daniel 7:25). But burning coals of broom and the sharp arrows of the mighty man (that is, Christ – Rev. 19) are reserved for him; and the captive, although still in captivity, nourishes the hope of this judgment on his enemies. The inhabitant of Jerusalem may well hold the language of verses 6 and 7, while still being in exile because Jerusalem, city of God, is the “city of peace” and Babylon, city of man, is the “city of confusion”. The Jews themselves consider this psalm to speak of the present captivity that that of Babylon represented and announced. We now come, with Psalms 120-134, to the hymns called “Songs of degrees”. They describe, the external circumstances of the same period we have just talked about, while Israel is in the country, but gog’s power is not yet destroyed. For Ps 120 is the first expression of the cry that the faithful in distress bring up to the Lord who answered him. Here the complaint is particularly related to lying and deception: the judgment will reach all this. But it is not a question of oppression and violence against Jerusalem, nor of those exercised by the apostate people; it is about the lies and deceptions uttered against the faithful himself: his misfortune is to stay in Meshec, and to remain in the tents of Kedar. Evil is in the hearts of those who are before it; and when the faithful speak of peace, they are for war. It seems that this Psalm does not deal with the oppression exercised in Jerusalem by the antichrist or by the Beast, but that it applies to those who, in the land, were where the last enemy who had pretended to favor them, and had led many to apostatize for the sake of rest and prosperity, now manifests himself as a treacherous oppressor. For this is related to Daniel 8, not to Daniel 9. Friends, may we realize more how much the world is opposed to God and therefore to His children! Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “The humiliated faithful ask and await the forgiveness of the Lord (Ps 130).”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.