< PreviousPsalm 124 1 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.A CLOSER LOOK: Another psalm of David, Psalm 124 is a song of thanksgiving, remembering the countless times that Israel was saved from destruction by her enemies. Israel’s history is replete with captivity and exile, but also full of examples where God delivers them despite all odds. David begins by recognizing God’s faithfulness, and Israel’s utter dependence on him (124:1-2). While there is no indication that Psalm 124 is directly referencing any one example of deliverance, the crossing of the Red Sea while escaping Egyptian captivity comes to mind with the water imagery used here (124:4-5). To be swallowed up or engulfed in a flood could also be drawn from geographical context. During the rainy season, water would flow out of the mountains and foothills, quickly filling the dry riverbeds and causing flash floods, threatening houses and people. David could be comparing how quickly the floods come upon the people of Israel to enemy nations attacking with little to no warning, as the Prophet Jeremiah observes. Whichever specific situation is being referred to here, it should be recognized that the people of Israel can continue to trust in God’s protection and provision in the face of enemies (124:6-7). CONTEXT: Exodus 14, Jeremiah 47:1-4, Nehemiah 4:20, Romans 8:31DAY 1 REVIEW: What does this Psalm teach us about God? What does this Psalm teach us about people? DAY 2 REFLECT: How has God been faithful to you recently? What truths have you been introduced to or reminded of this week? DAY 3 REFOCUS: How is God lifting your head with hope this week? What does God have set before you that might be challenging? DAY 4 RESPOND: How are you being prompted to respond to God this week? How are you being prompted to respond to others this week? DAY 5 REAFFIRM: What area of your life do you need to commit to growth? What truths do you need to remind yourself of this week? This week in Psalm 124Notes: Prayer God, YOU ARE: THANK YOU FOR: FORGIVE ME FOR: HELP ME WITH: Amen1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore. 3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil. 4 LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. 5 But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be on Israel. Psalm 125A CLOSER LOOK: Psalm 125 is meant to inspire confidence in God’s people, that their faithfulness to God is indeed worth it, and those who trust in the Lord can stand firm in any situation (125:1). Jerusalem is situated with mountains surrounding the city, acting as a wall of protection. The psalmist here uses this image to remind Israel that as the mountains surround and secure Jerusalem, so too will God protect them (125:2). “The scepter of the wicked” (125:3) gives us some context here, that Jerusalem was likely under the threat of a foreign enemy seeking to conquer the city. In light of this threat, the people of Jerusalem should remain faithful, trusting that God will continue to protect them. CONTEXT: Psalm 25:2, Isaiah 14:5, 2 Kings 6:17, Zechariah 2:5, Genesis 3:22This week in Psalm 125 DAY 1 REVIEW: What does this Psalm teach us about God? What does this Psalm teach us about people? DAY 2 REFLECT: How has God been faithful to you recently? What truths have you been introduced to or reminded of this week? DAY 3 REFOCUS: How is God lifting your head with hope this week? What does God have set before you that might be challenging? DAY 4 RESPOND: How are you being prompted to respond to God this week? How are you being prompted to respond to others this week? DAY 5 REAFFIRM: What area of your life do you need to commit to growth? What truths do you need to remind yourself of this week?Notes: Prayer God, YOU ARE: THANK YOU FOR: FORGIVE ME FOR: HELP ME WITH: AmenPsalm 126 1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. 4 Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.A CLOSER LOOK: Psalm 126 focuses on an unspecified time when God showed mercy on his people (126:1) they ask for mercy to be shown once again for their current circumstances (126:4). In fact, the mercy shown in the previous instance was of such magnitude the people could hardly believe it, “we were like those who dreamed” (126:1). There are a couple phrases that are repeated throughout the psalm, “restore our fortunes” (126:1, 4) and “shouts of joy” (126:2, 5, 6). The response to God’s mercy would be significant enough for neighboring nations to take notice of what God had done (126:2). Furthermore, the region of Negeb, located in the arid land in the south of Judah, was known for its dry creek beds. When the rains came, the creek beds would fill with water and cause the entire region to sprout with new plant life (126:4). The takeaway here then is this; when we recognize the great acts of God’s mercy in our lives, our response should be joyful celebration. Not only this, but remembering the moments of God’s mercy and grace should bring us to a point of hopeful expectation that what God has done in the past, he is surely able to do again. So much so, that those who are desperately in need of God’s mercy can expect to receive an abundance of mercy to meet their needs (126:6). CONTEXT: Matthew 5:1-12, Job 8:20-22, Ezra 6:22Next >