"The Songs Of Ascents"

by JONES, AUSTIN | Category: The Songs Of Ascents | Nov 1959

Many believers in Christ are concerned very much today at the lack of unity in Christendom. Even the Pope shows concern by calling for 1960 an Ecumenical Council to discuss ways and means of uniting professed Christians. It is noteworthy that the Lord makes clear the way in which the unity of His disciples can be realized

"For the Words which Thou gavest Me I have given unto them" (John 17.8).

When Israel forsook the Word of God they knew calamity after calamity resulting in their captivity and the burning of the House of God. In the closing days of the apostolic era another sad scene is witnessed a terrific apostasy took place, and the House of God (the churches of God in the aggregate) were laid waste, and corporate testimony for God on earth ceased. In Ezra's and Nehemiah's time it was the Remnant who were stirred to return from captivity and to build the House and the wall surrounding Jerusalem, and today in much weakness a remnant has returned to build again the House of God and maintain the light of collective testimony on the basis of Acts 2.41-42.

This collective testimony, this divine unity, is beautifully emphasized in the psalm which we now briefly consider.

PSALM 122

Here occurs a word of interesting significance to the subject before us - divine unity. The word Chabar means "to be joined" and is elsewhere (Psalm 94.20) translated "fellowship" ; in this Psalm 122, Jerusalem is referred to as a city that is "compact together." Here we have the individual finding others with a like mind to go up unto the House of the Lord. How lovely it is to find others with a like mind! Paul spoke thus of his child Timothy (Philippians 2.20):

"I have no man like-minded, who will care genuinely (margin) for your state." How encouraging it must have been to find those of Judah and Benjamin who were stirred to go up and build the House and later to enter into the fruits of an accomplished work! What joy had those who strove, under great difficulties, to erect the altar, lay the foundation of the House, and then build thereon eventually to commence the service of God therein, when that House was dedicated (Ezra 6. 22)!

What joy the early pioneers (under God) of the present divine movement had as they saw others step out from the disunity of believers in the spiritual Babylon of their day, and, by the leading of the Spirit of God, come together, having a divine constitution, and possessing a united elderhood to ensure the continuity of that unity! Only such could enter into a somewhat similar heart-stirring experience of these words,

"OUR feet are standing

Within thy gates, 0 Jerusalem;

Jerusalem, that art builded

As a city that is compact together:

Whither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD,

For a testimony

To give thanks unto the Name of the LORD"

(verses 2, 3, and 4).

The opening words of Psalm 122 remind us of the words of Psalm 42, true we suppose of David in the first place, as he reflected on the day when he led the multitude keeping holyday - yes, led them to the House of the LORD - but also true of the Lord, that worshipping Man, who often "went up" to Jerusalem.

The Remnant of Ezra and Nehemiah returned and built a House for God which was made up of stones recovered from the heaps of rubbish, and the older men wept as they saw this House because they had seen the Solomonic one, yet God took great pleasure in this House. The House of God in the apostolic era was not a House of stones, hewn from the quarry, or recovered from the rubbish heaps, but was composed of ransomed saints, "living stones, built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2.5).

It is interesting to recall that though only those of Judah and Benjamin returned to build a House for God in Zion, leaving the other tribes scattered or indifferent, those who did build for God when they dedicated the House (Ezra 6. 17) offered twelve he-goats for all "all Israel" as a sin offering - so that representatively Judah and Benjamin offered for " all Israel."

PSALM 123

To return and build the House involved them in separation and much hardship. As individuals they were encouraged in this Psalm, as servants are encouraged when waiting in attendance on their masters, to watch for every call, or as maidens watch their mistresses for every instruction, so their eyes were encouraged to look up to the One who sat in the heavens. It must have been a magnificent sight to behold the service that was given by the servants in the House of Solomon:recalling the words of 1 Kings 10, notice the successive impressive service then: (1) the meat of his table, (2) the sitting of his servants, (8) the attendance of his ministers, (4) and their apparel, (5) and his cup-bearers, and (6) the "ascent by which he went up unto the House of the LORD" (verse 5). The effect upon the Queen of Sheba was that there was no more spirit left in her! Those men, separated to the service of Solomon, were happy evidently in such service (verse 8), and what a privilege it is for those who now are separated for divine service in God's House!

PSALM 124

True separation involved the men in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah in persecution which is evident in this psalm. Men are pictured rising up against them (verses 2 and 3), but they are not given as prey to their teeth (verse 6).

Encouraged by the prophets Haggai, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, the leaders arise again and build, after ceasing from the work through persecution. Thank God for these valiant prophets who stirred the hearts of the leaders again! The prophets joined them in the work; what a heart for the work they had and a vision which made them no shirkers, no mere talkers! By example and precept they joined hands with their brethren. This is a lovely background to this Psalm; and the vision of divine unity called forth many hands to be joined together in such happy service, even though they were persecuted.

PSALM 125

Though they were persecuted, the promise of the LORD about which they sang refers to the salvation they enjoyed from the hand of their enemies, for "They that trust in the LORD are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever" (Psalm 125. 1). Were they not in the LORD'S work? Was it not reasonable to expect the LORD to be with them, for were they not building a House for Him to dwell in? Though around them was much to discourage, and always the danger of trouble arising within, yet to give themselves wholeheartedly to the task on hand was indeed their salvation. The weakening of their resolves and efforts landed them in the condition of things seen in Psalm 124, when the work ceased, but they knew a revival again and this is pictured for us in

PSALM 126,

Where we suggest the truth of Revival is experienced. When they first knew deliverance from captivity, they could hardly believe it; they were like to them that dream (Psalm 128. 1), and it almost seems that in this psalm, having reached a measure of progress in the work of the LORD, they looked back and all seemed like a dream. Even the nations around, looking at this little remnant which had returned, remarked, "The LORD hath done great things for them" (Psalm 126.2) and they re-echo such a truth, "The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." There was much in their experience that had saddened them; they had sowed in tears-they shall reap in joy. At the dedication of the House "the LORD had made them joyful " (Ezra 6.22). Because they had put the LORD'S things first, and had builded a House for Him, blessing followed, and this is beautifully brought out in Psalm 127.

JONES, AUSTIN | Nov 1959
The Songs Of Ascents