As we read through the Psalms we find events commemorated in the history of Israel where God has demonstrated His love and saving grace for them. Who hasn’t heard about the parting of the Red Sea or the water that sprang out of the rock as God delivered Israel from Egypt? But it isn’t just events in history that point to the faithfulness of God, it is also the creation itself, the very geography of Jerusalem, that is a reminder that God is always there as it says in Psalm 125:2 (LEB) As mountains are round about Jerusalem, so Yahweh is round about his people, from now until forever. But God’s people are not just the children of Israel, but all that have accepted Jesus Christ. For all of us, there is one message we can take from Psalms and that is that God is for us. So, let us be thankful as in Psalm 115:18 (LEB) It is we, we will bless Yah from now until forever. Praise Yah!
From the Rising of the Sun
At the Presence of the Lord
Psalm 114:1-8
The children of Israel lived in Egypt for four hundred years. In the beginning, they were highly favored with Joseph second in the land only to Pharoah. But after the seven years of famine, everyone was in Pharaoh’s debt and in
Genesis 47:20 (LEB) So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for each Egyptian sold his field, for the famine was severe upon them. And the land became Pharaohs.
The economy of the whole nation changed and everyone became sharecroppers for Pharaoh in
Genesis 47:23-24 (LEB) And Joseph said to the people, “Look, I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Here is seed for you so you can sow the land. 24 And it shall happen that at the harvest, you must give a fifth to Pharaoh and four-fifths shall be yours, as seed for the field and for your food and for those who are in your households, and as food for your little ones.”
For the Israelites, this arrangement that had saved their lives changed over several generations and became oppressive to the point that they were enslaved. In Joseph’s day, there was a Pharaoh that listened and responded to the wisdom of God. But now, there is a Pharaoh that has hardened his heart toward the people and to God. And now, we find that God is still with them and His power is demonstrated as they leave Egypt in
Psalm 114:1–2 (LEB) When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of a strange language, 2 Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
The sea, the mountains, the earth itself responds as the presence of the Lord moves with the children of Israel and protects them and provides for them in
Psalm 114:7 (LEB) At the presence of the Lord writhe, O earth, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
Our God is in the Heavens
The Lord Remembers Us
Psalm 115:9-18
When the Lord established Israel through Moses he gave the people an inheritance of land that was to be theirs through generations but he also set apart Aaron and his descendants as priests to God. The priests did not have any land, only the tithe that was for the Lord. Now, Israel, the house of Israel, the twelve tribes and their descendants that need protection from their enemies and fruitful produce from the land are reminded to trust the Lord in
Psalm 115:9 (LEB) O Israel, trust Yahweh; he is their help and their shield.
Then, the priests, the house of Aaron, who depend on the faithfulness and prosperity of the people of the land are also reminded to trust in the Lord because He is also their help in
Psalm 115:10 (LEB) O house of Aaron, trust in Yahweh; he is their help and their shield.
We sometimes experience fear about provision and sometimes fear about our safety and we are reminded that the Lord remembers his covenant in
Psalm 115:12 (LEB) Yahweh remembers us; he will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
Though there are very real enemies and very real dangers in this world, we are to trust in God but even more than that, rather than giving in to fear and doubt, we are to speak His praise in
Psalm 115:18 (LEB) It is we, we will bless Yah from now until forever. Praise Yah!
Our Help is in the Name of the Lord
The Lord is Round About His People
Psalm 125:1-5
West of the Dead sea, which is below sea level, is the West Bank where Jerusalem sits covering one of the highest points around, Mt Zion. It is this location that is prominent in the geography of the region that is described in
Psalm 125:1 (LEB) Those who trust in Yahweh are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
and there are other high points around the city, one of the most well known is the mount of Olives that are used to describe God’s presence and faithfulness to His people in
Psalm 125:2 (LEB) As mountains are round about Jerusalem, so Yahweh is round about his people, from now until forever.
It is here, that we understand the most basic and enduring truth, that God is good and does good for the righteous in
Psalm 125:4 (LEB) Do good, O Yahweh, to the good, and to those upright in their hearts.
Study Verses
- Psalm 114:1-8 At the Presence of the Lord
- Psalm 115:9-19 The Lord Remembers Us
- Psalm 125:1-5 The Lord is Round About His People
Today’s Reading
- Psalm 113:1-9
- Psalm 114:1-8
- Psalm 115:1-18
- Psalm 124:1-8
- Psalm 125:1-5
