“Psalms of Ascent Series”, Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 148, Psalm 123 – Overview
You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).
They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)
Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy.
The first word is “I”, but this is the statement of a community, for the rest of the Psalm is about ‘our eyes’, ‘us’, and ‘we’.
One of the Psalms of communal lament – see also Ps 44, Ps 58, Ps 74, Ps 79, Ps 80, Ps 83, Ps 89:38ff, Ps 106, Ps 123.
“The communal lament makes a vigorous, nearly accusatory address to Yehweh, imputing responsibility to Yahweh for the disaster, whether through neglect or hostility….But even when an accusatory tone is employed, it is clear that the lament is an act of faith, for only Yahweh, who caused the trouble, can right the wrong.” Brueggemann, Psalms, 76.
The pilgrim went through many ‘moods’ as do we in the Christian life. This Psalm helps us remember that we can take these moods to God.
Jesus went through many ‘moods’ on the cross – as his cries from the cross demonstrate – culminating in the cry of Matt 27:46.
It also helps us when enduring persecution as we see in the early church, Acts 4:24-25.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John
