“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1 ESV). To say that brothers don’t always dwell together in unity is an understatement. The biblical witness provides us with too many examples of this sad truth. There was Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau and Joseph and his brothers.Continue reading “Coming Attractions”
Category Archives: Psalms
A Better Idea
Psalm 132 does more than look back—it also points forward. And just as David is the subject of the backward look, he is also the subject their future hopes. Sort of. No sooner had David successfully relocated the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem, then he embarked on another project—to build a house (temple) forContinue reading “A Better Idea”
A Passion for God
The first half of Psalm 132 recounts David’s desire to “find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (v. 5). Although this sounds like a reference to building the temple (something he would express a longing to do later), it isn’t. It has to do with relocating theContinue reading “A Passion for God”
Something to Sing About
When you look at a series or a group of anything, there are usually one or two that don’t quite fit into the category as neatly as the others do. They’re not outliers, but they stand out a bit. That’s Psalm 132. It is different from the other psalms of ascent in at least aContinue reading “Something to Sing About”
State of the Heart
Psalm 131 consists of a mere fifty-nine words parceled out over three verses (NIV). Because of this, there is the temptation to treat it like a headline—grab the central thought and move on. We’d be poorer for doing so though because the psalms aren’t spiritual fast food. They are not meant to be gulped downContinue reading “State of the Heart”
Morning Always Comes!
When the psalmist writes in 130:1, “out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;” he is speaking as someone who is utterly overwhelmed by life—and acutely aware of it. He is despondent, despairing, and desperate. He is “where death prevails instead of life as prospect and power” (Mays). He doesn’t need to get inContinue reading “Morning Always Comes!”
Meeting God in the Depths
God is deeper than the deepest depth in man. He is holier than our deepest sin is deep. There is no depth as deep to us as when God reveals His holiness in dealing with our sin . . . think more of the depth of God than the depth of your cry. The worstContinue reading “Meeting God in the Depths”
Perseverance (2)
It would be difficult to overstate the value of perseverance—but not impossible. More to the point, it’s easy to look at perseverance the way we see an iceberg and notice only the part that is above the waterline and miss the more significant portion below. Perseverance is a glorious thing but like everything else, it’sContinue reading “Perseverance (2)”
Perseverance (1)
Psalm 129 reminds us that despite the hardships they encountered, the righteous in Israel hadn’t gone anywhere. Their oppressors gave them their best shot and when the smoke, dust, and ashes had cleared away—the righteous hadn’t cut and run, they were still standing. Don’t you love that? That was Israel’s story. Whether they were onContinue reading “Perseverance (1)”
They Have Not Gained Victory
Psalm 129 begins with the nation of Israel rehearsing its history as a person would speak of their life. From its youth, it had been “greatly oppressed” (repeated for emphasis – v. 1-2). This could be an illusion to Egypt and the travails the fledgling nation experienced there or perhaps it is a reference toContinue reading “They Have Not Gained Victory”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 