Songs from the Heart Day 35 Psalms 128 & 129

Reread Psalms 128-129.

As we draw closer to Easter, the Psalms of Ascent we’ve studied this week invite us into an important moment of introspection we shouldn’t overlook. Psalm 128 explores the blessing that comes when we live in reverence to the Lord, while Psalm 129 reminds us (despite what the world may say) those who plot evil against God and his people will not ultimately prevail. 

Psalm 128 is about recognizing who God is and acknowledging our rightful place before him. More than that, it’s about living our lives in a way that reflects the reverence and awe we have for God. It’s submitting our own will to his will and choosing obedience again and again—and resting in the blessing that comes from a life lived for him. And the way that shows up in our lives isn’t through our words—we can say anything—but through our actions and our track record of obedience. In the words of my journalism professors, we show rather than tell, letting the obedient patterns of our lives speak for us.

Living faithfully means choosing obedience to God in a world that doesn’t understand and even mocks your faithfulness. It is the road Jesus walked, and the life he has called us to live. It is the doorway to blessing in this world and for all eternity. 

In many ways, Psalm 129 displays the other side of the same coin. While Psalm 128 explores the blessing of living in reverence of and obedience to God, Psalm 129 declares judgment against those who live in opposition to him. In the end, the psalmist declared in Psalm 129, those who plot evil against God and his people will not and cannot prevail. He may permit it in this world, but it will not last in eternity. 

In the same way, the blessing of those who revere the Lord and live accordingly will span generations. But those who oppose God, well, their plans will wither and die like grass with shallow roots. God’s plans will absolutely be accomplished—you can count on that—and all those who seek to get in the way will ultimately be defeated. Like fruitless, useless crops, those who live in opposition to the Lord will result in no harvest and no eternal significance. 

And while we know that God is the ultimate victor, we will still face persecution and difficulty here and now. As the psalmist declared in Psalm 129, Israel knew persecution and hardship firsthand—and so do you. Let the lesson of Psalm 129 ring forth in your life today: they have attacked me, but they have not prevailed. 

Psalms 128 and 12, then, are about our eternal mindset. Choosing to live obediently to God in a a world that doesn’t revere him is choosing to place our hope and faith in the eternal blessinging he promises. It’s knowing that when difficulty and grief, sorrow and persecution come, God is faithful and good, and he will eternally prevail. It is setting aside the values and treasures of this world for the eternity God has promised. 

And, most of all, it is living according to the example of Christ who for the joy set before him endured the cross (Heb. 12:2).

This Lenten season, you have a choice about the way you live—but understand that your choice affects your eternity. Blessing or judgment? The choice is yours.