Pilgrim Songs--Psalm 124 and John 12:36b-43

Comprehension and interpretation--Verse 5 of the Song of Ascents.  King David is leading his fellow Israelites in a rehearsal of God's past protection of them.  He wants them to acknowledge that any victory they've had in the past--and there have been MANY--all came from the Lord, Who has always been on their side. He's completing the thought of Chapter 123 verses 3-4, reminding himself and his fellow travelers that God has shown mercy before, there's no reason to think He won't show it again.  David breaks out in praise to God, kneeling before God (the word blessed means to kneel) in thanksgiving for the deliverance He's provided.  He restates Chapter 121 verses 1-2 "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

*Christ Connection*--John 12:36b-43 is where we find this Pilgrim Song connection, but in the reverse.   King David is recalling and recounting the mighty acts of God, most of which he didn't witness but the stories were passed down through generations.  Yet we find these people around 1,000 years later unwilling and unable to see what's happening right in front of them.  John quotes Isaiah, a prophet who lived between the times of King David and Jesus.  He prophesied that people would see the arm of God move, through the life and miracles of the Messiah, and they would even know in their hearts that what they were seeing was true, but would refuse to believe it.  I wonder if John, as he wrote down all that he witnessed, could hear the pilgrims coming in to Jerusalem, recounting all that God had done for the Israelites through their colorful, storied history of covenant with God.  Could he hear them singing "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth".  Did he want to say "The Lord is here.  The One whose Name was whispered in every single story from the beginning of time"? The robust voices of the pilgrims raised in praise during holy week must have been a stark contrast to those who had followed Jesus' teaching, believed, but would not confess--because they valued the glory of man over the glory of God.  

A--Rehearsing the past protection, provision, and faithfulness of God should be a major part of our praise!  We may not sing the Song of Ascents at our churches, but there are plenty of songs that lead us in praise in the same way.  One of my favorites  is "Is He Worthy?" by Andrew Peterson.  Just as David in verse 1 says "Let Israel now say...", so also this song leads us to join in and affirm that Yes, we agree with all of these things.  And it also leads us to look to the One who is worthy, the One who is our help, Christ Jesus, Maker of heaven and earth.  I pray that we always lift our voices in praise and kneel before Him in gratitude, valuing the glory that comes from the strong arm of God more than the glory of man.