The Strand Study Bible

PSALMS PSALMS David united the kingdom after Saul’s death and made Jerusalem the capital of the kingdom (II Sam 5:6-9/I Chro 11:4-9), moving the TABERNACLE (Rev 21:3) from Kirjathjearim to Jerusalem (II Sam 6). There Solomon would build the TEMPLE . The city of Jerusalem, which is mentioned directly in the Bible for the first time in Joshua 10:1-4, was chosen by God as His city (Psa 48:1-2,8) because it is where all that is eternal and all that eternally matters concludes; it is where CHRIST (the ETERNAL ONE – Mic 5:2 and Rom 1:16) would give up certain aspects of His eternal authority with the other two Persons of deity in order to save humanity (I Cor 15:28). Thus, the TEMPLE ( CHRIST ), and where it resides, is the focal point and unifying factor behind all that matters to God (Jn 17:11,20-23). Now if Jesus can put up with us, we ought to be able to put up with each other (Jn 13:34-35 and Phil 1:18), as well as forgive each other (Mt 18:21-35). If God’s people can focus on Jesus, then the place we live will be at peace (Lk 24:13-36). 122:6 The day Jerusalem knows peace will be the day the PRINCE OF PEACE (Dan 8:25, II Thess 3:16, Eph 2:13-18 and Rev 1:5 & 19:16) returns to the city to set up His kingdom (Isa 9:6-7, Zech 12:10-11 and Lk 21:20-28). To “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” is to pray for CHRIST’S return (Esther 10:3). 123:2a The Psalmist here likens the faithfulness of a believer (so our eyes) to a slave watching for the beckoning of his master’s hand. Orientals do not speak to their attendant servants, as we do, but by beckoning and gesture they make known their will. The true servant humbly watches and waits patiently for the slightest sign of his Master’s hand, which signifies His will (Lk 17:1-10). The fourth step to ascending to where God abides involves being faithful (I Cor 4:1-2). 123:2b Tis better to experience the mercy of God (he have mercy on us – II Sam 24:9-14) than the mercy of man (Hab 1:5-14-17). 123:3 Jesus said in John 15:18, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” Meaning, the more focused and faithful we become in our walk with the Lord the more the world and those who are worldly minded will hate us (for we are exceedingly filled with contempt – vs 4 and II Tim 3:12). 124:6 Nothing calls out so deep and strong a sense of indebtedness to God as knowing you’ve been delivered. Thanks to the intervention of the Lord, those who know they’ve been delivered long to “praise Him” (Blessed be the LORD). Psalm 124 is all about recognizing one of God’s natural attributes ( LUKE “MINI” SERIES). 125:2 There are three reasons why a person can be confident that they are “eternally secure” ( even for ever ): * Eternal security is logical (Jn 3:1-10) * Eternal security is scriptural (Jn 3:11-18,36) * Eternal security is eternal ; it’s not temporary (Jn 4:7-14 and Jude 24-25) Critics of the “once saved, always saved” doctrine claim that it gives Christians a license to sin. They presume that those who believe in eternal security intend to accept salvation, and then continue to willingly sin. How absurd! Why would anyone, who properly presents the GOSPEL OF CHRIST , tell people that they can sin all they want now that they are saved? Critics need to blame the old nature for sins committed after salvation, not the doctrine of eternal security. Any person, who willingly and humbly repents of his sin and turns towards the cross, trusting Jesus as his Savior, will be saved (Lk 23:39-43 and Acts 16:31). That kind of salvation is once and for all, eternal, and secure ( Heb 6:4a ). 125:3 The rod of wickedness may fall for a time upon the righteous, but it shall not “rest” there. God will not try men beyond that they are able (the meaning behind “lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity”). Paul said in I Corinthians 10:13: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 125:4 Eternally secure people can only “feel” eternally secure when they choose to “Do good” (See Introduction to I John – About the Book). 125:5 The Psalmist winds up Psalm 125 with a prayer (peace shall be upon Israel), not a prophecy. 126:1 When the Jews found themselves outside Babylon, and on their way to Jerusalem, they were like them that “dreamt.” After seventy years in captivity (from 605-536 BC), they thought it was too good to be true, and began to question whether it was all a dream or no. When they realized it was not a dream, they began to laugh and sing. Even the heathen, among whom the Israelites had dwelt, marveled at their deliverance. It was an event without a parallel (vs 2). 917