The psalms of ascent were to be sung by pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem. Thus, they are intended to prepare God’s people to meet together and worship Him. In his later days, David instituted music as a part of the worship practices of God’s Old Testament people. These psalms speak to the need of our preparing our hearts to worship God and planning our worship. What principles do these psalms teach us about worship?
Psalm 121 –What action prescribed by the psalmist is a surprising aspect of worship? Depending on the translation you’re reading, it might not be apparent, so in case you’re having trouble identifying it, it is looking to God for help. Consider that for a moment: counting on God and acknowledging Him as your help is a form of worship. Do you do so, or are you too independent for your own good?
Psalm 123 – Do you know what it is like to be disrespected by others who treat you with contempt? The writer of this psalm had had enough of that kind of treatment. Yet he didn’t intend to take matters into his own hands, but he spoke of waiting on God to change the situation. How does a servant look to the hand of his master? That this is a psalm of ascents implies that waiting on God is another unusual aspect of worshiping Him.
Psalm 124 – Relying on God as rescuer is another way we worship Him. He is so good at rescuing that most of us probably enjoy the luxury of taking His rescuing of us for granted. But for those of us who are Christians, we need to take this opportunity to appreciate His heroic rescue of us when He became flesh so He could die a most gruesome death for us. When we were helplessly enslaved to sin, He came to our rescue and saved us so completely that we not only are freed from sin, but from sin’s ugly consequences. Can you embrace Him as your heroic rescuer today?
Psalm 125 – Trusting in God is another facet of worship. Trusting Him for protection in the midst of a sin-cursed world (Jude 24), trusting Him to bring good as He has promised to do (Romans 8:28), trusting Him to work justice. Aren’t we blessed to be able to trust Him for such wonderful works on our behalf? Do you know Him as mountains surrounding you? Doesn’t that image make you feel safe and secure? Can you snuggle up to Him today and tell Him that you trust Him?
Psalm 128 – Recall that God promised His Old Testament people that if they feared Him and walked in all His ways, He would bless them with prosperity. We don’t enjoy the promise of such blessings as God’s Old Testament people did, but that is not because the New Covenant is inferior to the Old; rather, it’s better! Think about the blessings we enjoy as New Testament people of God. Enjoying them fully is a way we worship Him, because we make it about Him! The blessings He gives us are all about relationship with Him. If you don’t truly appreciate that privilege as a joy, please be honest with God about that and ask Him to change you. I had to do that, and He did change me, and I am certain that He would want to do that for you as well. He wants to enjoy intimate relationship with each one of us, and that can only happen through mutual enjoyment of each other!
Psalm 129 – Not giving in to defeat in oppression, but rather looking to God for strength, victory and hope, are ways we worship God. This is a challenge for me right now, I confess, but I have resolved to offer God this sacrifice in worship: I have fixed my hope on Him. To be truthful, it doesn’t look like worship to me at this point, but I am trusting Him to make it what will honor and glorify Him. Do you need to do the same today?
Psalm 130 – Asking forgiveness from sin is another feature of our worship of God. David will be showing us in another psalm more about what that should look like, and it is surprisingly not the prolonged, abject contrition I have long thought it should be. Rather, it is seeking full redemption and restoration of God’s unfailing love. That doesn’t mean we treat His forgiveness presumptuously, but we do our part in turning from sin and humbly seek the full restoration that He longs for us to enjoy. Do you need to speak to Him today about forgiveness?
What aspect of worship presented in these psalms speaks most profoundly to you today? Please offer your worship to God accordingly!