WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:03.700 Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're 00:00:03.700 --> 00:00:05.740 taking this journey together to read the Bible 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:08.939 in a year. Today we'll be reading a group of 00:00:08.939 --> 00:00:11.800 psalms known as the Psalms of Ascent, Psalms 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:17.739 120 -134. Psalm 120, a song of ascent. In my 00:00:17.739 --> 00:00:20.179 distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me. 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:23.219 Delivered my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and 00:00:23.219 --> 00:00:25.500 from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:28.000 to you, or what shall be done to you, you false 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:31.059 tongue? Sharp arrows of the warrior with coals 00:00:31.059 --> 00:00:34.020 of the broom tree. Woe is me that I dwell in 00:00:34.020 --> 00:00:36.500 Meshach, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar. 00:00:36.840 --> 00:00:39.640 My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates 00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:42.840 peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they 00:00:42.840 --> 00:00:49.039 are for war. Psalm 121, a song of ascents. I 00:00:49.039 --> 00:00:51.679 will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence 00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:54.539 comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who 00:00:54.539 --> 00:00:57.020 made heaven and earth. He will not allow your 00:00:57.020 --> 00:01:00.100 foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:02.939 Behold, he who keeps Israel shall neither slumber 00:01:02.939 --> 00:01:06.079 nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper. The Lord 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:08.700 is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:11.540 not strike you by day nor the moon by night. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:14.519 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil. He 00:01:14.519 --> 00:01:17.140 shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve 00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:19.879 your going out and your coming in, from this 00:01:19.879 --> 00:01:25.859 time forth and even forevermore. Psalm 122, a 00:01:25.859 --> 00:01:29.069 song of ascents of David. I was glad when they 00:01:29.069 --> 00:01:31.349 said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. 00:01:31.530 --> 00:01:34.069 Our feet have been standing within your gates, 00:01:34.129 --> 00:01:36.890 O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city that 00:01:36.890 --> 00:01:39.370 is compact together, where the tribes go up, 00:01:39.510 --> 00:01:42.329 the tribes of the Lord, to the testimony of Israel, 00:01:42.530 --> 00:01:45.709 to give thanks to the name of the Lord. For thrones 00:01:45.709 --> 00:01:48.370 are set there for judgment, the thrones of the 00:01:48.370 --> 00:01:50.870 house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 00:01:51.129 --> 00:01:53.859 May they prosper who love you. Peace be within 00:01:53.859 --> 00:01:57.019 your walls, prosperity within your palaces. For 00:01:57.019 --> 00:01:59.400 the sake of my brethren and companions, I will 00:01:59.400 --> 00:02:02.280 now say, Peace be within you. Because of the 00:02:02.280 --> 00:02:05.180 house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good. 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:42.800 Psalm 124, a song of ascents of David. If it 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:45.620 had not been the Lord who was on our side, let 00:02:45.620 --> 00:02:48.840 Israel now say, If it had not been the Lord who 00:02:48.840 --> 00:02:52.060 was on our side, when men rose up against us, 00:02:52.139 --> 00:02:54.719 then they would have swallowed us alive, when 00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:57.039 their wrath was kindled against us, then the 00:02:57.039 --> 00:02:59.379 waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream 00:02:59.379 --> 00:03:02.139 would have gone over our soul, then the swollen 00:03:02.139 --> 00:03:05.460 waters would have gone over our soul. Blessed 00:03:05.460 --> 00:03:08.460 be the Lord who has not given us as prey to their 00:03:08.460 --> 00:04:00.300 teeth. Psalm 125, a song of ascents. Psalm 126 00:04:00.300 --> 00:04:03.639 A Song of Ascents When the Lord brought back 00:04:03.639 --> 00:04:06.349 the captivity of Zion, We were like those who 00:04:06.349 --> 00:04:08.990 dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, 00:04:09.090 --> 00:04:11.849 and our tongue with singing. Then they said among 00:04:11.849 --> 00:04:14.449 the nations, The Lord has done great things for 00:04:14.449 --> 00:04:16.769 them. The Lord has done great things for us, 00:04:16.889 --> 00:04:20.069 and we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O 00:04:20.069 --> 00:04:23.069 Lord, as the streams in the south. Those who 00:04:23.069 --> 00:04:26.370 sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually 00:04:26.370 --> 00:04:29.350 goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, 00:04:29.529 --> 00:04:32.750 shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing 00:04:32.750 --> 00:04:38.980 his chiefs with him. Psalm 127 A Song of Ascents 00:04:38.980 --> 00:04:42.240 of Solomon Unless the Lord builds the house, 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:45.240 they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:48.040 guards the city, the watchman stays awake in 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:51.220 vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:54.019 sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows, for 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:57.759 so he gives his beloved sleep. Behold, children 00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:00.399 are heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:03.500 womb is a reward, like arrows in the hand of 00:05:03.500 --> 00:05:05.779 a warrior. So are the children of one's youth. 00:05:06.139 --> 00:05:09.079 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:12.079 They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with 00:05:12.079 --> 00:05:17.600 their enemies in the gate. Psalm 128, A Song 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:20.660 of Ascents Blessed is everyone who fears the 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:23.680 Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:25.920 labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:28.139 it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:30.720 like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:50.759 house. Your children like olive plants. Psalm 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:59.569 129, a song of ascents. Many a time they have 00:05:59.569 --> 00:06:02.430 afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not 00:06:02.430 --> 00:06:05.329 prevailed against me. The plowers plowed on my 00:06:05.329 --> 00:06:08.569 back, they made their furs long. The Lord is 00:06:08.569 --> 00:06:11.350 righteous, he has cut in pieces the cords of 00:06:11.350 --> 00:06:14.329 the wicked. Let all those who hate Zion be put 00:06:14.329 --> 00:06:17.170 to shame and turned back. Let them be as the 00:06:17.170 --> 00:06:20.310 grass on housetops, which withers before it grows 00:06:20.310 --> 00:06:23.670 up, with which the reaper does not fill his hand, 00:06:23.829 --> 00:06:27.920 nor he who binds sheaves his arms. Neither let 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:30.540 those who pass by them say, The blessing of the 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:33.379 Lord be upon you. We bless you in the name of 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:39.300 the Lord. Psalm 130, A Song of Ascents Out of 00:06:39.300 --> 00:06:41.959 the depth I have cried to you, O Lord. Lord, 00:06:42.060 --> 00:06:45.079 hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:47.439 the voice of my supplications. If you, Lord, 00:06:47.480 --> 00:06:50.220 should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:53.060 But there is forgiveness with you, that you may 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:56.180 be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits. 00:06:56.540 --> 00:06:59.240 and in his word I do hope. My soul waits for 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:01.639 the Lord, more than those who watch for the morning, 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:04.199 yes, more than those who watch for the morning. 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:07.519 O Israel, hope in the Lord, for with the Lord 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:10.100 there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption, 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:13.459 and he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. 00:07:15.459 --> 00:07:20.540 Psalm 131, a song of ascents, of David. Lord, 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:24.689 my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither 00:07:24.689 --> 00:07:27.709 do I concern myself with great matters, nor with 00:07:27.709 --> 00:07:30.889 things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed 00:07:30.889 --> 00:07:33.610 and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with 00:07:33.610 --> 00:07:36.189 his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within 00:07:36.189 --> 00:07:39.509 me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time 00:07:39.509 --> 00:07:45.790 forth and forever. Psalm 132, a song of ascents. 00:07:46.370 --> 00:07:49.410 Lord, remember David and all his afflictions, 00:07:49.410 --> 00:07:52.029 how he swore to the Lord and vowed to the mighty 00:07:52.029 --> 00:07:55.040 one of Jacob. Surely I will not go into the chamber 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:57.899 of my house, or go up to the comfort of my bed. 00:07:58.100 --> 00:08:00.639 I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:03.300 my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord, 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:05.360 a dwelling place for the mighty one of Jacob. 00:08:06.040 --> 00:08:09.180 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrata. We found it 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:11.920 in the fields of the woods. Let us go into his 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:14.480 tabernacle. Let us worship at his footstool. 00:08:14.980 --> 00:08:17.610 Arise, O Lord, to your resting place. you an 00:08:17.610 --> 00:08:20.430 ark of your strength. Let your priests be clothed 00:08:20.430 --> 00:08:22.769 with righteousness, and let your saints shout 00:08:22.769 --> 00:08:25.889 for joy. For your servant David's sake, do not 00:08:25.889 --> 00:08:28.569 turn away the face of your anointed. The Lord 00:08:28.569 --> 00:08:31.389 has sworn in truth to David, he will not turn 00:08:31.389 --> 00:08:34.250 from it. I will set upon your throne the fruit 00:08:34.250 --> 00:08:36.809 of your body. If your sons will keep my covenant 00:08:36.809 --> 00:08:40.009 and my testimony, which I shall teach them, their 00:08:40.009 --> 00:08:43.529 sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore. 00:08:43.830 --> 00:08:46.759 For the Lord has chosen Zion, He has desired 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:49.620 it for his dwelling place. This is my resting 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:52.379 place forever. Here I will dwell, for I have 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:55.360 desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision. 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:58.779 I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:01.580 clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:04.720 shall shout aloud for joy. There I will make 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:07.460 the horn of David grow. I will prepare a lamp 00:09:07.460 --> 00:09:10.559 for my anointed. His enemies I will clothe with 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:13.879 shame, but upon himself his crown shall flourish. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:21.299 Psalm 133 A song of ascents of David Behold how 00:09:21.299 --> 00:09:23.620 good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:26.240 together in unity. It is like the precious oil 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:29.580 upon the head, running down on the beard, the 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:32.179 beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:35.080 garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending 00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:38.139 upon the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:42.980 commanded the blessing, life forevermore. Psalm 00:09:42.980 --> 00:10:04.669 134 A song of ascents I hope you enjoyed today's 00:10:04.669 --> 00:10:06.870 reading as much as I did, and I look forward 00:10:06.870 --> 00:10:08.909 to seeing you again tomorrow to continue on our 00:10:08.909 --> 00:10:11.009 journey. God bless you and have a great day.