PSALM 123. Here it seems the returning remnant of Israel are about to set forth on their journey. They are among others of their people who have professed honor for the Lord, but who do not share these same deep exercises. So they not only do not feel the need of undertaking it, but have nothing but contempt for those who do. Is not this what the Lord has before Him when He speaks of the blessings for those who are persecuted for His sake? (Matt. 5.)
Psalm 124. The journey here seems to be looked upon as completed and they are looking back on it, realizing that if it had not been that the Lord was on their side, then would they have been swallowed up by the men who rose up against them. They feel that their soul is as a bird that has escaped from the snare of the fowler. They can say with confidence: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” This is a lesson the Lord at all times would have His people learn.
Psalm 125. Here Mount Zion or Jerusalem, with the mountains surrounding it, is looked at as a place of security. Then the word is added “which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.” God still has certain purposes concerning it, which have yet to be fulfilled. It was God’s center for them in days of old, and will also be in the time of the future kingdom. It was His dwelling place, as King Solomon said in 2 Chronicles 6:4141Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. (2 Chronicles 6:41). The Lord has also promised to be in the midst of His own now (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). It is also the place where justice can be administered.
Psalm 126. Now they go back over in their thoughts the facts connected with their being released from captivity. It seems like a dream to them. They were held captive by such a powerful nation, but the Lord had turned the king’s heart to favor their release and return to their own land. It is an instance of what we have in Proverbs 21:11The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (Proverbs 21:1), the king’s heart being turned by the Lord whithersoever He will. They can now rejoice and sing, so that it is said among the heathen, “The Lord hath done great things for them.”
The last verse of this Psalm is a beautiful reference to the Lord’s being here in humiliation. He had truly gone forth weeping, bearing precious seed, but He is to come again with rejoicing, bringing His sheaves with Him. So Israel will be looking for His coming with His heavenly hosts for their deliverance. “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him.” Col. 3:44When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4). All those who have accepted the Lord as Saviour now, will be among those heavenly hosts when He comes.
Psalm 127. This psalm is “A Song of Degrees for (or of) Solomon,” and it has to do with the building of the temple. Though Solomon had the plans which were given to his father by the Spirit, and he also had in his possession gold and silver which his father had gathered together for it, it could be built in vain. The builder must seek guidance from the Lord and His blessing for it to be acceptable to Him. It is quite striking how this psalm is introduced here, in a very timely way, because the building of the temple was the foremost thought with those who returned with Ezra. Then there will also be a temple built in the early part of the tribulation, but they will be still in unbelief then, and so they will not have the Lord’s mind as to it. This building will be destroyed (Psa. 74: 5-7). Then there will be another temple built later according to Ezekiel.
ML 05/21/1961