Psalms 124-125

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Israel’s Preservation and Israel’s Peace

BACKGROUND NOTES

Discuss the authorship of Psalm 124.
Read 1 Chronicles 14:13-17. Which part of Psalm 124 might correspond to this remarkable story?
What is the topic of Psalm 125?
How does Zechariah 13 relate to this psalm?
What is the point of Psalm 124:3?

Some critics question whether this psalm was written by David as claimed in the title of Psalm 124. They say Israel was not in such dire circumstances as described here during David’s time. But a careful reading of the wars of David in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18-20 will assure you that David did indeed face great threats against Israel.
verse 7
Psalm 125 speaks of the security of God’s people because the Lord surrounds them, as Jerusalem is protected by the surrounding mountains.
Zechariah prophesies about one-third of the nation turning back to the Lord. These are the upright in heart of Psalm 124:4. But the two-thirds that will not turn to the Lord are judged in Psalm 124:5.
The divine principle here is that God limits His test of our faith to what we can endure. The Lord will not let the scepter of wickedness come upon us to the point that we don’t have the power to resist. Compare 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Discuss how the Lord has continued to preserve Israel through the ages as a distinct people with a distinct language and culture – despite being without a homeland for almost 2,000 years! The key to Israel’s preservation is the Lord’s protection.
Psalm 124 repeats the phrase, “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side…” Discuss how dramatically different your life would be if the Lord had not sovereignly showed you His grace and mercy.

“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us.” Psalm 124:2-3
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” Psalm 125:2