12/17/2015 Thursday
Psalm 126
A
Song of Being Restored
Psalm 126 is one of a collection of poems
(Psalms 120-134) known as the “Songs of Ascents.” Many scholars believe the
title indicates that these psalms were sung by worshippers as they ascended the
road to Jerusalem to attend the three pilgrim festivals.
In this Psalm, the Jews’ returning to their
country is a picture for us. One can make an analogy between the ancient
pilgrimages that Israelites made to Jerusalem and the modern preparations that
we Christians make during Advent for Christmas.
As God made his people free, (from exile in
Sennacherib or Babylon), so God has made us free through our love and obedience
to Jesus Christ. This is the New Covenant, or as our Bible calls it, the New
Testament.
As we wait for Jesus in this time of
Advent, we are making a pilgrimage of our own. Just like this Psalm is a song
of restoration, we too, are reflecting on how the spirit restores us, how our
faith renews us and shines a light in the darkness. As we anticipate the glory
of our coming Lord, we rejoice in the knowledge that through the power of Jesus
Christ, we are saved from exile. Amen.
Lynn Byrnes
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