Psalms 129-131
Psalm 129 speaks of the enemies which had afflicted Israel; many a time during the long period from the captivity and cruel bond slave of Egypt in the early history of the people to the last enemy, the king of the north, or the Assyrian, the children of Israel has or will yet have suffered at the hands of those who hated them. God has protected them from destruction as a people; what other nation has endured such persecution and scattering, and continued to this day? Surely none. True, the ten tribes carried away by the Assyrians (see 2 Kings 17:66In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. (2 Kings 17:6)) have disappeared, so that for many centuries they have been searched for in vain, but they will be soon brought back to join the two tribes of the Jews. (Ezekiel 37: 21).
The enemies, those who hate Zion, the center of Israel's future glory, will be brought to naught as the grass upon the house tops. This psalm affords a fresh illustration of what has been remarked before, that all the psalms are for and of Israel, though Christians find much in them of comfort in trial, and, above all, they picture in most touching language the suffering One, the crucified One who is God's King and David's Lord.
In Psalm 130 Israel's deep dye of sin, brought under consideration in a number of the psalms which have been before us, is again the theme. Here mercy is counted upon (verse 3 and 4); there is forgiveness with Jehovah, and the soul in confidence will wait for Him as for no other hoped for object. Have you ever spent the night in anxiety, and longed for the morning's first rays to chase the gloom away? (Verse 6).
This beautiful psalm links together in our Saviour God forgiveness, loving kindness (or mercy), plenteous redemption (ransom), and an unchangeable purpose to bless His people.
In the short 131St psalm the suited state of the believer, if he would be blessed, is set forth. It is again Israel, of course, and now subject, as once and for long insubordinate, willful, disobedient.
We may observe that the latter part of verse 1 is without exact counterpart in the Epistles of the New Testament which are written for the members of Christ's heavenly body. There the edifying and upbuilding of the saints is prominent as in Ephesians 4:11-1611And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11‑16); Col. 3:1616Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16); 2 Tim. 3:14-1714But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:14‑17).
Children of God, let us not neglect the reading of His Word!
Messages of God’s Love 1/3/1932