Sunday 17 May, 2015

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” 2 Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. 4 That is where the tribes go up— the tribes of the Lord— to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel. 5 There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. 7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” 8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.

Psalms 120-134 …..these 15 songs were sung as the worshippers made their way up to the Temple. They would stop to worship & sing the corresponding psalm as they went up higher into the worship and Presence of God.

This Psalm we are reading consists of the song King David wrote to be sung as the worshippers entered the gates of the city Jerusalem.

What a joyous exciting procession it must have been. David expresses this at the beginning of the Psalm. “I rejoiced with those who said to me , “Let us go up to the house of the Lord””.

He goes on to say, “now at last, we stand here, inside the very gates of Jerusalem.” They would come from far and wide to celebrate and worship Jehovah God. One translation puts it beautifully: Jerusalem, a city of praise, where God and man mingle together. [The Passion Translation, Poetry on Fire p.236]

Someone observed that more people worldwide gather to celebrate in the house of God than to engage in any other activity! As we stand to worship in His Presence the Holy Spirit moves over us to empower and inspire us to live for Him.

Sunday may be the highlight of the week for many people, but we need to remember that we, our bodies, are the temple of the Holy Spirit. So the same joy of worship is ours everyday of our lives. Let’s rejoice in the privilege we have to be united in our praise and worship; and let our daily lives be a continuous expression of that worship in every situation.

Father we cherish the privilege which is ours to spend our lives in praise and worship of You, our magnificent Lord.

Written by Keith Bennett