Song of Ascents - Psalm 128, Verse 5

How sad it is, Adonai, when men understand Thy word through the prism of what has been passed down to us through tradition over the centuries. Instead of reading Your word in the light of the plain truth that is presented in it and simply clinging to Thy commandments, instructions, statutes and laws we run around in circles achieving little and getting nowhere. I lament this before Thee because of what the Psalmist writes in this verse—for after making it clear that the man who fears Thee and walks according to Thy ways is blessed, personally and in his family, he then proceeds to say that You will bless such a man from Zion. This is the place that You will set Thy feet upon when You stand with the 144,000 (Rev. 14:1). This is the city from where You shall reign on the earth for 1000 years (Isa. 24:23). Israel is Thy chosen people and we Gentiles who have come to believe in Thee will do well to quickly realize that all Thy purposes for restoration and reconciliation revolves around Israel; and the sooner we recognize our grafting into this cultivated olive tree, the body of the Messiah, the sooner we will realize that Zion is the place where You will bless and reign with Thy bride; and from Jerusalem will you reign over the whole earth.

In April this year, beginning with the Feast of Unleavened Bread and leading up to the 50 days to Pentecost, I covered the first six Psalms of the Song of Ascents. These Psalms was sung when Israel would go up to Jerusalem for the three appointed feast days of the Lord. The Fall feast days are now at hand. Today (Sept. 10) is the "Day of Trumpets" or "Yom Teruah". September 18 is "Yom Kippur" or the "Day of Atonement" and then from September 23 evening begins the 7 days "Feast of Tabernacles" or "Succoth".

Beginning where I left off on Pentecost, I now continue the next Song of Ascents and will continue this till the great day of the feast (Jn. 7:37) which is the last day of Succoth.

Remember, that just as Yeshua fulfilled the spring appointed days at His first coming, we know for sure that this too He will fulfill at His second coming. Therefore we wait eagerly for the fulfillment of the Fall appointed days, for these days are appointed by God Himself (Lev. 23:1-44). Till then, my hope is that each of us will stay in the truth and not be found "sleeping" like the five foolish virgins.

Song of Ascents - Psalm 128, Verse 4

At the cost of repeating himself, I can see how the Psalmist reiterates what he wrote at the start of this Psalm. He began by saying that the man who fears Thee and walks by Thy ways is blessed. He then listed the blessings that Thou hast apportioned for such a God-fearing man who keeps Thy instructions, Thy laws and Thy statutes—living in the fullness that Thou hast always desired for man. The problem with us is that we read these verses; we acknowledge that You desire obedience more than sacrifices (1Sam. 15:22); we know that the one who does Your will, these are Your brothers (Lk. 8:21)—yet we are so slow to obey. We are clever to devise reasons and explanations (Prov. 3:5) instead of trusting in the truth and wisdom of Your eternal word which abides forever (Isa. 40:8). As a result we often pay the costly price of missing out on Your best. I ask that with great mercy, Adonai, Thou will cause those who have believed in Your name not just to read Your word (or listen to it) but fear Thee, submit to Thee in love and obedience and keep Thy word (Jn. 14:23).

In April this year, beginning with the Feast of Unleavened Bread and leading up to the 50 days to Pentecost, I covered the first six Psalms of the Song of Ascents. These Psalms was sung when Israel would go up to Jerusalem for the three appointed feast days of the Lord. The Fall feast days are now at hand. Today (Sept. 10) is the "Day of Trumpets" or "Yom Teruah". September 18 is "Yom Kippur" or the "Day of Atonement" and then from September 23 evening begins the 7 days "Feast of Tabernacles" or "Succoth".

Beginning where I left off on Pentecost, I now continue the next Song of Ascents and will continue this till the great day of the feast (Jn. 7:37) which is the last day of Succoth.

Remember, that just as Yeshua fulfilled the spring appointed days at His first coming, we know for sure that this too He will fulfill at His second coming. Therefore we wait eagerly for the fulfillment of the Fall appointed days, for these days are appointed by God Himself (Lev. 23:1-44). Till then, my hope is that each of us will stay in the truth and not be found "sleeping" like the five foolish virgins.

Song of Ascents - Psalm 128, Verse 3

It requires great grace from Thee, Adonai—grace, wisdom and strength—for a family to fear Thee and live by Thy ways. Everyone "knows" that a godly family is a happy family but yet very few are able to experience it. I have come to realize, over the past years, how my submission to Your commands and laws has automatically resulted in a beautiful change within me and my family. How precious it is for me to have a wife who fears Thee and is willing to walk in all that Thou reveals to her from Your truth. How grateful I am that my children have not strayed away in the ways of the world but choose God-fearing friends for company. The fact that the Psalmist uses fruitful vine and shoots from an olive tree as examples is not to be lost on us, for these are the very symbols of Thy chosen people, Israel and the kingdom of God.

In April this year, beginning with the Feast of Unleavened Bread and leading up to the 50 days to Pentecost, I covered the first six Psalms of the Song of Ascents. These Psalms was sung when Israel would go up to Jerusalem for the three appointed feast days of the Lord. The Fall feast days are now at hand. Today (Sept. 10) is the "Day of Trumpets" or "Yom Teruah". September 18 is "Yom Kippur" or the "Day of Atonement" and then from September 23 evening begins the 7 days "Feast of Tabernacles" or "Succoth".

Beginning where I left off on Pentecost, I now continue the next Song of Ascents and will continue this till the great day of the feast (Jn. 7:37) which is the last day of Succoth.

Remember, that just as Yeshua fulfilled the spring appointed days at His first coming, we know for sure that this too He will fulfill at His second coming. Therefore we wait eagerly for the fulfillment of the Fall appointed days, for these days are appointed by God Himself (Lev. 23:1-44). Till then, my hope is that each of us will stay in the truth and not be found "sleeping" like the five foolish virgins.

Song of Ascents - Psalm 128, Verse 2

There is so much blessing to the one that fears Thee, Adonai, and walks in accordance with Your ways. In truth, such a one experiences life in all its fullness. Every aspect of his life is blessed by You in accordance with Your promises. So many look to Thee for blessings, praying for some earthly need or the other. And while there is nothing wrong with that, such people totally ignore the commandment, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." They have the order wrong. Yet to those who fear Thee and walk in accordance with Thy instructions, such are happy when they eat the labour of their hands. They delight because it is well with them.

In April this year, beginning with the Feast of Unleavened Bread and leading up to the 50 days to Pentecost, I covered the first six Psalms of the Song of Ascents. These Psalms was sung when Israel would go up to Jerusalem for the three appointed feast days of the Lord. The Fall feast days are now at hand. Today (Sept. 10) is the "Day of Trumpets" or "Yom Teruah". September 18 is "Yom Kippur" or the "Day of Atonement" and then from September 23 evening begins the 7 days "Feast of Tabernacles" or "Succoth".

Beginning where I left off on Pentecost, I now continue the next Song of Ascents and will continue this till the great day of the feast (Jn. 7:37) which is the last day of Succoth.

Remember, that just as Yeshua fulfilled the spring appointed days at His first coming, we know for sure that this too He will fulfill at His second coming. Therefore we wait eagerly for the fulfillment of the Fall appointed days, for these days are appointed by God Himself (Lev. 23:1-44). Till then, my hope is that each of us will stay in the truth and not be found "sleeping" like the five foolish virgins.

Song of Ascents - Psalm 128, Verse 1

Blessed and happy and sheltered by Thy favor is everyone who fears Thee, Adonai. and worships Thee with obedience. Such walk in Thy way and live according to Thy commandments. If only we can see the direct co-relation between blessing and obedience; Thy favour and living by Thy ways. We are quick to quote Thy promises while glibly ignoring the condition attached to it. 

O Master, save us from deceiving ourselves. I am reminded of Thy words to Israel through Moses, "Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Ex. 19:5-6). 

I feel so privileged to be grafted into Israel, Thy precious possession, chosen by Thee from among all the peoples. What a great honour to be considered by Thee as a part of a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Yet I recognize the all important condition that You linked to it—"If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant." Help me Adonai for I want to be among the blessed who fears Thee and lives by Thy ways.

In April this year, beginning with the Feast of Unleavened Bread and leading up to the 50 days to Pentecost, I covered the first six Psalms of the Song of Ascents. These Psalms was sung when Israel would go up to Jerusalem for the three appointed feast days of the Lord. The Fall feast days are now at hand. Today (Sept. 10) is the "Day of Trumpets" or "Yom Teruah". September 18 is "Yom Kippur" or the "Day of Atonement" and then from September 23 evening begins the 7 days "Feast of Tabernacles" or "Succoth".

Beginning where I left off on Pentecost, I now continue the next Song of Ascents and will continue this till the great day of the feast (Jn. 7:37) which is the last day of Succoth.

Remember, that just as Yeshua fulfilled the spring appointed days at His first coming, we know for sure that this too He will fulfill at His second coming. Therefore we wait eagerly for the fulfillment of the Fall appointed days, for these days are appointed by God Himself (Lev. 23:1-44). Till then, my hope is that each of us will stay in the truth and not be found "sleeping" like the five foolish virgins.