Join us for a time of worship followed by discussion and study. Separate classes meet for ages from children through adults. Nursery provided. This week we will be continuing our study of the Psalms of Ascent.
Psalms 120-134 were likely sung by Hebrew pilgrims as they went up to Jerusalem to celebrate the worship festivals. (Because of its height above sea level, a visit to the city would have been “up” no matter where you came from.) The ascent was not just literal, it was also a metaphor for a life lived upward toward God, a journey of continual spiritual growth.
Tonight we’ll study Psalm 132
PSALM 132
A song of ascents.
Lord, remember David
and all the hardships he endured,
2 and how he swore an oath to the Lord,
making a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3 “I will not enter my house
or get into my bed,
4 I will not allow my eyes to sleep
or my eyelids to slumber
5 until I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 We heard of the ark in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 Let us go to his dwelling place;
let us worship at his footstool.
8 Rise up, Lord, come to your resting place,
you and your powerful ark.
9 May your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and may your faithful people shout for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not reject your anointed one.
11 The Lord swore an oath to David,
a promise he will not abandon:
“I will set one of your offspring
on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
and my decrees that I will teach them,
their sons will also sit on your throne forever.”
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his home:
14 “This is my resting place forever;
I will make my home here
because I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless its food;
I will satisfy its needy with bread.
16 I will clothe its priests with salvation,
and its faithful people will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn grow for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed one.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but the crown he wears will be glorious.” -- Psalms 132:1-18 (CSB)
