Psalms 127-129
Dear RTB’ers,
Since we began with Psalm 120 a few days ago we have been reading psalms with an introductory title, “A Song of Ascents”. That will continue for another five psalms. Scholars agree that these songs of ascents were likely sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for one of the three annual feasts or by residents of Jerusalem as they walked to the temple. Accordingly, most of these psalms are happy, joyful, full of praise for God’s glory.
Today’s third psalm does not follow that pattern. Instead, the psalmist’s attention is toward his enemies: May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward; may they be like grass upon the housetops which withers before it grows up… (vv. 129:5-6). The psalmist speaks of his attackers, of the wicked. It seems like a strange psalm for us to be singing on our way to church!
Jesus taught us differently, to pray for our enemies. He might have even been thinking of this psalm as He delivered His sermon on the mount: You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…’ (Matthew 5:43-44). The second half of today’s final verse (although introduced in the negative) is the song that we should be singing: The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord! (v. 129:8b) Yes, blessing, not cursing!
Blessings.
Fred