The Psalms of Ascent are a set of fifteen psalms that were traditionally sung as priests entered the temple, and Jews journeyed to the Holy Land to celebrate the Passover Festival. They offer hope, encouragement, and peace in a time of uncertainty. Today we will read and discuss Psalm 133 and Psalm 134, the final two psalms in the psalms of ascents.
Psalm 133
Psalm 133 shows us what would happen if we follow the command to live in unity with one another. In order to live together in unity, we don’t all have to share the same opinions or lifestyles; we just all love Jesus and follow after Him!
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Jesus prays for His disciples, and us, just before He is betrayed by Judas and arrested. His prayer is one of unity – if we are united in Him, we can be united to one another.
When believers live in unity with others, the blessings are abundant, like an anointing with oil that pours down our faces and onto our clothes; like dew that pours from Mount Hermon, giving life to the land around it.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Living in unity blesses us and blesses others!
Psalm 134
The final Psalm of Ascents was originally directed to the priests as a parting message of encouragement, but applies to us all.
We are to praise the Lord in everything we do, especially when things are dark and troublesome (by night).
Lifting hands is a posture of praise and prayer. Open hands in praise give us an opportunity to receive God’s blessings.
Ultimately, the message here is to go, and may God go with you!
The Psalms of Ascents are a set of fifteen psalms. CLICK HERE to review the full Psalms of Ascents series.
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