The Rev. Larry C. Morrison, Rector

*All Scripture readings are taken from the Trinitarian Bible Society Bibles (KJV) in the pews.

†To view, print, and listen to the music scores please download and install the NoteWorthy Viewer.

PSALM COMMENTARY

Psalms 120 & 121    

Theme — The Songs of the Steps

The collection of Psalms from Psalm 120 to Psalm 134 form a group of Psalms that were probably used by pilgrims as they went up to the feasts at Jerusalem (Deut 16:16). In the King James Version they are called “The Songs of Degrees.” They are also known as “The Songs of Ascents” and as “The Gradual Psalms.” The word, Gradual, comes from the Latin word, “gradus,” or step.

Historically, Christians have applied the “Psalms of Degrees” to the Christian Pilgrimage. Christians are on a journey toward the Heavenly Jerusalem - toward the Temple of god in Heaven.

Psalm 120

Longing for god. The Psalmist is among people with no regard for god. The Singer is homesick for God and god’s people. (This song will not be sung today)

Psalm 121

The Pilgrim Song. God is the keeper of the Church. This Psalm suggests the picture of the pilgrims as they view from afar the hills about Jerusalem. The strength and stability of the hills are reminders of the security we have in the living God.

Psalm 122

The city of David. The City of Peace. The Psalmist rejoices as he reaches the gates of Jerusalem. He describes the sight that filled his eyes and heart. Jerusalem is a strong and united City with justice dispensed by the Davidic King. The Singer prays that this peace and prosperity (SHALOM) may continues, because the glory of the city is not in its buildings but in the fact that the Lod is there. Jerusalem here foreshadows “the holy city, the new Jerusalem” (Rev 21:2)

(adapted from G. D. Carleton and R. S. Wards)

Psalm One Hundred and Twenty    

Theme — Longing for God

In my distress to God I cry’d
and he gave ear to me.
From lying lips, and guileful tongue,
O Lord, my soul set free.

Psalm 120 is the first of the “Songs of Ascent” (ps. 120-134) sung by the pilgrims journeying to the holy hill of Zion. Compared with this sacred ground (of Zion), the whole world is barbarous. The exile feels that he is in Mesech (in the Caucasus, Gen. 10:2) or amongst the fierce tribes of the Arabian deserts (Kedar, Gen 13:13) god will judge the lying mouth and the hostile intentions that surround the pilgrim.

This song can be sung in a Christian “key”. As Rowland Ward says, “jesus christ is the tuning–fork by which we pitch the Psalms correctly.” jesus says: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which dispitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt 5:44-45) The enemies of the Christian soul are spiritual. The weapons of Christian warfare are spiritual. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (not of the flesh, not physical), but mighty through god to the pulling down of strong holds.” (2 Cor 10:4) We pray that god will rain down judgments upon our enemies within who wage deceitful, treacherous, constant war. We pray against our own selfish selves.

Psalm One Hundred and Twenty-one    

Theme — The Pilgrim’s Song

The Pilgrim lifts his face towards The Temple on the height of Zion. It is the earthly home of the One god, the tireless guardian of Israel. We, too, journey to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem with which the old Jerusalem of stone cannot compare. “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Heb 13:14) Now in that city is one who prays:

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world,… Holy Father.… I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

To that height and so to that shrine we confidently lift our eyes and sing our prayer.

Attention Readers and Cantors
Psalm of the Month — Andrew St Jean
Ten Commandments — Steve Ritter
Old Testament — Steve McLeod
Responsive Psalm — Robert Thoburn
Epistle — Steven St. Jean
Metrical Psalm Precentor: Steven St Jean
Prayers of the People — Andrew St. Jean
Intercessioins — Bobby Thoburn, and Philip St Jean
Acolytes — Joseph Ritter and Philip St Jean

Prayer List

Prayers for Healing

Maria Sudlow, Charles McLeod, Dorothy Knox, Horte Segura, Connie Hoxton, Katelyn McFarland, Emmett Buffalo, Carol Robbins, Joanna Robbins, Charles Stone, Clay Hoxton, Leah Robertson, Robert Thoburn, Sr., Al St Jean, Laurie Kelly, Jennie, Larry Moison, Jackie Moison

Expectant Mothers

Hannah Vanderhart, Laura Handle, Sheila Thoburn

New Mothers

Susanna Cummings, Leah Robertson

New Born

Mateo Cummings, Samuel Douglas Robertson

Engagement

Jonathan and Abigail (Praise and Blessings)

Return to covenant Faithfulness

Amberleigh

Employment

Steven Burton

Comfort

Those in War–torn areas, those unjustly imprisoned, especially Bowe Bergdahl a prisoner of the Taliban

Commentary on Readings

1 Samuel 10 — Geneva Notes, Matthew Henry (concise), Matthew Henry (complete)

Psalm 120 — Geneva Notes, Matthew Henry (concise), Matthew Henry (complete)

Psalm 121 — Geneva Notes, Matthew Henry (concise), Matthew Henry (complete)

Romans 12 — Geneva Notes, Matthew Henry (concise), Matthew Henry (complete)

Matthew 20 — Geneva Notes, Matthew Henry (concise), Matthew Henry (complete)

Net Ministries — A pronunciation guide including audio is found here.

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Updated 14 January 2012
© Copyright 2012 The Church of the Good Shepherd