Sermon #15311 Miscellaneous Sermons
Title: Ascending To The House of
God
Text: Psalms 120-134
Subject: The Psalms of Degrees
Introduction:1
Psalms 120-134 form a
section of the Psalms called “Psalms of Degrees,” or “Ascension Psalms.” These psalms
were commonly chanted by the children of Israel in their pilgrimages to
Jerusalem to observe the annual feasts required under the law. They were psalms
of pilgrims going up to the house of God. Some suggest that the priests in
Israel chanted one of these fifteen psalms on each of the fifteen steps
ascending up to the temple on those holy days.
These are psalms written and
recorded by divine inspiration to show us three things:
1.
The attitude of our Lord Jesus Christ, as he made his pilgrimage
through this world of woe as Jehovah’s righteous Servant.—Our Savior’s
heart was set upon the glory of God, the will of God, and the house of God
above.
2.
The attitude of God’s saints as we make our pilgrimage through this
world to our Father’s house above.—May God give us grace to set our affection upon
things above, to mind not earthly things but heavenly things, to look not at
the things which are seen but at those things which are not seen, ever to set
our hearts upon the glory of God, the will of God, and eternity!
3.
The attitude we ought to cultivate as we come to the house of God to
worship him.
As we scan these fifteen
psalms, I want to specifically apply them in this way. I want to encourage you
and to encourage myself to come to the house of God with the attitude reflected
in these psalms. I have titled this message—Ascending to the House of God.
Proposition: Whenever we have the
privilege of coming up out of this distressing world of darkness and woe to
gather with God’s saints, worshipping in his house, at his footstool, before
his throne, with his people, we ought to be filled with joyful hope and
anticipation.
The
House of God
When we come to the house of God in public worship, we come to a physical place, usually a building like this.
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What
a privilege!
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What
a blessing!
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We
ought to treat the physical building in which we meet as the house of God. No,
this building is not the house of God; but this is where the house of God
meets.
If the Lord will allow us
this hour to worship him, if we have indeed come into this place in the name
of Christ, if we have (just two or three of us) come here in the name of
Christ…
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Trusting
him—His Blood—His Righteousness—His Intercession—His Grace—His Power—His
Goodness,
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Seeking
his honor,
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Seeking
his will,
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Seeking
his glory,
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To
worship him,
We have come into the house and temple of God. The Lord Jesus is in our midst (Matt. 18:20). The Holy Spirit is here (1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Cor. 3:16-17).
(1
Cor 3:16-17) "Know ye not that ye
are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
(17) If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the
temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
Indeed,
if we have come here tonight to worship our God, if he grants us the privilege
and honor of doing so, coming into this place, we have come to the very
throne of God in heaven. Yes, there is a very real since in which we
gather around God’s throne in heaven every time we gather in God’s house to
worship him (Heb. 12:18-25).
(Heb
12:18-25) "For ye are not come
unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto
blackness, and darkness, and tempest, (19) And the sound of a trumpet,
and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the
word should not be spoken to them any more: (20) (For they could not
endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain,
it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: (21) And so terrible
was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) (22) But
ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly
Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (23) To the
general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and
to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (24) And
to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that
speaketh better things than that of Abel. (25) See
that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who
refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if
we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:"
The
Psalms of Degrees
These Psalms of Degrees
begin (Psa. 120) with the pilgrim leaving his home, leaving behind him a world
of distress and woe, because he dwells among deceitful, self-serving men who
are in constant strife with one another. In Psalm 134, as he returns from the
house of God, going back to his home, going back to face a world that hates
God, his soul is refreshed. He seems to be leaping and dancing in his soul,
giving praise to God.
Oh, may that be the case
with each of us tonight! As I prepare to preach the gospel, I try to bear in
mind that I come here to preach to eternity bound men and women who live in a
distressing world of woe. I want to send you away leaping and rejoicing, giving
praise to God our Savior, for all his wonderful works of redemption and grace.
That which relieved,
comforted, and rejoiced the hearts of God’s saints in those ancient times was
what they heard and saw in the house of God. And that which relieves, comforts,
and rejoices the hearts of God’s saints today is exactly the same, that which
we hear and see in the house of God.
§
The
Sacrifice—Christ
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The
Word—The Revelation of God
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The
Blessing—God’s Goodness and Grace in Christ (Num. 6:24-27)
Now, let me give you a
sketch of these fifteen psalms.
Psalm
120—Our Distress
In Psalm 120 the pilgrim leaves his home in distress, calling upon the Lord to deliver his soul from the trouble and heartache he experienced from slandering tongues and a world of strife.
Added to that God’s pilgrim
was constantly aware that he dwelt in Meshech. Meshech was the son of
Japheth. His descendants were the people to the north of Israel. They
were commonly associated with Magog, the enemies of God and his people. Meshech
here represents all false, antichrist, freewill, works religion.
(Psalms
120) "A Song of degrees.—In
my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. {2} Deliver
my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. {3} What
shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
{4} Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. {5} Woe
is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of
Kedar! {6} My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. {7} I
am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war."
Psalm 121—Our
Help
Turning his eyes, his heart, and his mind away from all that troubled
him, the pilgrim looks away to God on his throne in Psalm 121. He is our Help. He is our
Keeper. He will preserve us from all evil. He will preserve our souls!
(Psalms
121) "A Song of degrees.—I
will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
{2} My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven
and earth. {3} He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that
keepeth thee will not slumber. {4} Behold, he that keepeth
Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. {5} The LORD is thy
keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. {6} The
sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. {7} The
LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
{8} The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time
forth, and even for evermore."
Psalm 122—Our
Anticipation
Next,
in Psalm 122, the pilgrim turns his mind toward God’s house and the assembly of
God’s saints around his throne (the mercy-seat), anticipating the prospect with
gladness.
(Psalms
122) "A Song of degrees of David.—I
was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
{2} Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
{3} Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact
together: {4} Whither the tribes go up, the tribes
of the LORD (All God’s Elect—The 144,00 Rev. 7:4-9), unto the
testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the
LORD. {5} For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the
house of David. {6} Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they
shall prosper that love thee. {7} Peace be within thy
walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. {8} For
my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
{9} Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good."
Psalm 123—Our
Faith
In
Psalm 123 the pilgrim sings about our faith, the faith of all those who worship
the Lord God in spirit and in truth, the faith that expresses itself in worship
and is encouraged and strengthened in the house of God.
(Psalms
123) "A Song of degrees.—Unto
thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. {2} Behold,
as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as
the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon
the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. {3} Have
mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled
with contempt. {4} Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of
those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud."
Psalm 124—Our
Acknowledgement
In
Psalm 124 the tried, tempted, slandered pilgrim acknowledges, “God my Savior,
is my Keeper.”—“By the grace of God I am what I am.”
(Psalms
124) "A Song of degrees of David.—If
it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel
say; {2} If it had not been the LORD who was on our side,
when men rose up against us: {3} Then they had swallowed us up quick,
when their wrath was kindled against us: {4} Then the waters had
overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: {5} Then the proud
waters had gone over our soul. {6} Blessed be the LORD, who
hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. {7} Our soul
is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and
we are escaped. {8} Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made
heaven and earth."
Psalm 125—Our
Confidence
With each of these
psalms, there seems to be a continual rising of thought.
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120—Our
Distress
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121—Our
Help
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122—Our
Anticipation
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123—Our
Faith
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124—Our
Acknowledgement
Here,
in Psalm 125, the pilgrim describes our confidence in our God. Let us come to
the house of God in confidence, confidence in him and his goodness.
(Psalms
125) "A Song of degrees.—They
that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be
removed, but abideth for ever. {2} As the mountains
are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people
from henceforth even for ever. {3} For the rod of the
wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous
put forth their hands unto iniquity. {4} Do good, O LORD, unto those
that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. {5} As
for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth
with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon
Israel."
Psalm 126—Our
Joy
In
Psalm 126 the song moves up another scale. Here is our joy.
(Psalms
126) "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. {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."
Psalm 127—Our
Security
In Psalm 127 the
pilgrim meditates upon the security of God’s house, as he ascends to it. Here
is our security.—The building of God’s house is his work.—The security of it is
his work.—The children he gives are his heritage.—Knowing these things, we
read, “so he giveth his beloved sleep.”
(Psalms
127) "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. {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. {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."
§
The
house and city spoken of here is the church of God. He builds his house and keeps
his city. That gives us sleep (peace).
§
The
children are the children of God, his gift to Christ, brought forth from Zion’s
womb. They are arrows in the hands of Christ, our Mighty Man of War, the
Captain of our Salvation.
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The
happy man, whose quiver is full, is Christ.
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His
children shall never be ashamed, confused, confounded, put to confusion, or
make haste.
Psalm 128—Our Way
In Psalm 128 the
psalmist speaks of our way, the way in which we walk, the way of faith in
Christ and the ways in which divine providence takes us—His Ways!—The Blessed
Way!
(Psalms
128) "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."
§
This
is talking about Christ.
§
This
is talking about you and me, his church.
Psalm 129—Our
Foes
As
we saw in Psalm 120, our foes are many any relentless. The slanderer’s tongue
is a sharp arrow that will never cease to pierce and hurt. But in Psalm
129, as he moves up to the house of God, the pilgrim bids his foes farewell and
commits them to his God. That is exactly what we must do.—That is
exactly what we soon shall do!
(Psalms
129) "A Song of degrees.—Many a
time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: {2} Many
a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed
against me. {3} The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their
furrows. {4} The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the
cords of the wicked. {5} Let them all be confounded and
turned back that hate Zion. {6} Let them be as the grass upon
the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up: {7} Wherewith
the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. {8} Neither
do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless
you in the name of the LORD."
§
Romans
16:20
Psalm 130—Our
Hope
Psalm
130 describes our hope. It is the hope of grace and forgiveness through
redemption.
(Psalms
130) "A Song of degrees.—Out
of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. {2} Lord, hear my
voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. {3} If
thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? {4} But there
is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. {5}
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. {6} My
soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I
say, more than they that watch for the morning. {7} Let Israel
hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous
redemption. {8} And he shall redeem Israel from all his
iniquities."
Psalm 131—Our
Contentment
The
pilgrim sings, as he moves toward God’s house, in Psalm 131, of humility and
contentment.
(Psalms
131) "A Song of degrees of David.—LORD,
my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in
great matters, or in things too high for me. {2} Surely I have
behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my
soul is even as a weaned child. {3} Let Israel hope in
the LORD from henceforth and for ever."
Psalm 132—Our Prayer
Psalm 132 sets
before us that which ought to be our prayer, as we come to the house of God. It
is a prayer based upon God’s own promise.
(Psalms
132) "A Song of degrees.—LORD, remember
David, (CHRIST) and all his afflictions: {2} How he sware
unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; {3} Surely
I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; {4} I
will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, {5} Until
I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of
Jacob. {6} Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of
the wood. {7} We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at
his footstool. {8} Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and
the ark of thy strength. {9} Let thy priests be clothed
with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. {10} For
thy servant David's (CHRIST) sake turn not away the face of thine
anointed. {11} The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David
(CHRIST); he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon
thy throne. {12} If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony
that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy
throne for evermore. {13} For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath
desired it for his habitation. {14} This is my
rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. {15} I
will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. {16}
I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints
shall shout aloud for joy. {17} There will I make the horn
of David (Christ) to
bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. {18} His enemies
will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish."
Psalm 133—Our
Delight
In
Psalm 133 the pilgrim, just as he approaches the house of God and greets his
brethren gathering with him,
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“Behold”—What
a rare sight!—What a good sight!
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“Brethren”—What
a blessed word!
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“Unity”—What
strength!—How refreshing!
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“Zion”—The
Place where God commands his blessing!
(Psalms
133) "A Song of degrees of David.—Behold,
how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell
together in unity! {2} It is like
the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's
beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; {3} As the dew of
Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for
there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."
Psalm 134—Our
Praise
In Psalm 134 we
see God’s pilgrims at the house of the Lord, calling upon one another to
worship and praise the Lord God, our Savior. Let it be our determined purpose,
as we gather with God’s saints, to give our praise, adoration and worship to
our God and seek his blessing upon all who come with us into his house.
(Psalms
134) "A Song of degrees.—Behold, bless
ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night
stand in the house of the LORD. {2} Lift up your hands in the
sanctuary, and bless the LORD. {3} The LORD that made
heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion."
1 Bro. Paul Mahan began our
conference last night by reading Psalm 84. He made this comment before reading
the Psalm.—“Psalm 84 expresses every believer’s attitude toward the house of
God and the great privilege of gathering with the people of God to worship our
Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Psa 84:1-4) "To the chief Musician upon
Gittith,”—The word “Gittith” appears in the titles given to several of the
psalms. It means “A stringed instrument.” But the word “gittith” comes from a
word that means “winepresses” and is translated that way in some ancient
translations. This is a psalm that speaks of local churches, the assemblies of
God’s saints in public worship, where Christ the true Vine causes his people to
drink the sweet wine of his grace.
“A Psalm for the sons of
Korah.”—That is to say, a psalm for singers in the house of God, a psalm to be
sung in the house of God.
“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! (2) My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. (3) Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. (4) Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah."
1 Danville Bible Class—(AM 07/13/03)
Almont Conference—(PM 07/25/03)
West Harpeth Grace Church, Franklin, TN (Thursday PM 07/30/03)
Tape#