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PSALM

CHAPTER 126

1 A Song of Degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.

When Israel and Judah turned to idolatry, and corrupted the worship of the Living God, He promised them 70 years in captivity. The nation of Israel was carried away captive by Assyria and scattered among many nations. Then the nation of Babylon captured Jerusalem and carried away the inhabitants of Judah to the Babylonian nations.

God preserved the descendents of David and the line of Judah. Then, after 70 years, according to God's promise, some were released and allowed to return to Jerusalem and Judah.

They were filled with JOY! I can imagine them singing all the way from Babylon to Jerusalem! Their statement: "The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." That statement is one that Christians can make today.

We should sing and rejoice for the salvation God has given us. He has freed us from the captivity of sin. He has promised to bring us to an eternal home free from sin and death. And just as God fulfilled His promise to Judah, so He will fulfill His promise through Jesus Christ to all Christians!

The call in verse four is for God to CONTINUE freeing more captives and sending them to "The Promised Land." Little did the freed captives of that day know that they were singing prophesy of what Jesus would do for others!

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

There is a joy that the saved soul knows. It is the joy of knowing that even in this life of trouble, if we tell others about Jesus, HE HIMSELF will see that we'll come "rejoicing!"

No matter what our problems in this life might be, Christians should be constantly "beaaring precious seed," and telling others about salvation through Jesus Christ. Even if we "sow in tears," we shall "reap in joy!"

CHAPTER 127

1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

In this verse, consider a "house" and a "city" to be a LIFE. Unless we let God be in charge of our lives, we are building in VAIN. At the end of this physical life there is eternity. And eternity without God is not a good choice.

Also, the life that is built without God in charge is not built with character and integrity. It is built solely upon selfish desires.

And unless God "KEEPS" the life, all our watchcare over self is useless. "Watchmen" were to guard the city from the enemy. The enemy of our lives is sin. Unless we let God be in charge of our lives, we have no guard against sin.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Many people are business oriented. They rise early, work through difficulties and go to bed late in order to "get ahead" in this wolrd. All that is in vain unless God is in charge of the life.

God gives peaceful "sleep," or rest, to the soul. All our intensive labor is in vain without God's help. The American dream to "be somebody" is a good dream as long as God is in charge of the life and our labor includes working for HIM.

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Many "business oriented" people work so much they forget to work with their children. Children are VERY IMPORTANT.

Children are a GIFT from God. They are like "arrows" in that they are useful instruments to both the parents and the world.

It is interesting that Solomon wrote this song. Solomon, the Bible says, had MANY wives. But, as far as we know, he only had ONE son! Solomon knew how precious is the reward of God's gift of children.

That is why it is important to spend time with the children and teach and train them in the ways of God. The ways of God are morality and integrity. The ways of God will give children peace and rest when they reach adulthood.

To raise children WITHOUT God is to bring "shame," to the parents (verse 5). But to train them WITH God is to raise them in such a way that they will contend with the "enemy" - sin.

PSALM 128

1 A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. 2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. 3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. 4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. 5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. 6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

The word "fear" (verse 1) is a word which refers to having awesome reverence for God. The person who has "fear" of God will be "blessed." He will be blissfully happy in his life.

When a person has reverence for God in his life, his labor (verse 2) will be a HAPPY thing!

When a man has reverence for God, he will also have reverence for his WIFE! She is the "vine, (verse 3)" or compliment to his whole life! She is the producer of his children and the joy of his soul in this earthly life.

The word "Zion" (verse 5) referred to Jerusalem which was the HEART of Israel. When a man has reverence for God, he will be tremendously blessed in his HEART.

When a man has reverence for God, his grandchildren are a tremendous blessing to him. He rejoices that God has allowed him to SEE them.

How wonderful it is to "walk with God" in this world. That WALK gives peace to us knowing that one day we will walk with God continually.

Please continue in Bible Study with us.