Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

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PSALM 125: AS SECURE AS MOUNT ZION Living in Security and Peace

This psalm is prophetic of the coming Messiah who like Mount Zion in Jerusalem will be a founda- tional rock for people to build their lives upon. Although it was seemingly written in a time of foreign domination it sees ahead to the glories of the re-established Kingdom of Judah and ultimately to the church age and eternity. It has a stark warning for those who would turn away from Christ. As we ‘as- cend’ through the ‘Songs of Ascent’ in worship it is comforting to know there is an immovable founda- tion beneath our walk of faith. It’s outline follows three groups of people:

I THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD - 1, 2 – Zion’s Foundation II THE WICKED - 3- Zion’s Struggle III THOSE WHO TURN TO CROOKED WAYS - 4, 5- Zion’s Triumph

INTRODUCTION:

“A Song for the Ascent to Jerusalem.”

(See Introduction to the Songs of Ascent)

I

THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD - 1, 2- Zion’s Foundation

“Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.” (1)

This is an open invitation for anyone to build their life upon the true rock of salvation and is point- ing to the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” Whatever difficulties life presents to “those who trust in the Lord” they will never be defeated: “Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwa- ters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock.” (Mt. 7:24, 25) It is also speaking of the preservation of the Jewish nation and the yet unborn church from the prob- lems they will face in their spiritual journey. The prophet Micah sees the disasters that will come upon them in the future: “Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.”(Mic 3:12) In the next sentence in Micah’s prophecy he sees the glorious restoration of the nation and ultimately of the church in the last days of time: “In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.” (Mic. 4:1) Isaiah prophe- sies in stereo with Micah adding the insight of world-wide worship in the Lord’s coming plan for his Church: “In the last days, the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem will become the most important place on earth. People from all over the world will go there to worship.” (Isa. 2:2)

“Just as the mountains surround and protect Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds and protects his peo- ple, both now and forever.” (2)

The believers are not only on the mountain of the Lord but the mountains of the Lord’s presence are surrounding them. The nation and the church have a dual protection plan, security underneath and se- curity around. “Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain . And as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.” (Isa. 11:9) The mountain is also ‘above’ us as well as beneath and around us; the thought is that God has us completely covered by his presence and purpose! “So he took me in spirit to a great, high mountain , and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem,

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