Congregation at Prayer

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Psalm 126: A Prayer of Rejoicing for the Lord Bringing Us Back from Captivity—Psalm 126, one of the psalms of Ascents, celebrates the return of the exiles to Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity. As the descendants of those who had rebelled against the Lord, they recognized the Lord’s faithfulness and gift of salvation that neither they nor their descendants deserved. They were overwhelmed with happiness and overflowed with joy. “Our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing…The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us, wherefore we are glad.” Psalm 126 reminds us of the important lesson that the Lord is always faithful to those who cling to Him in faith, which includes those who have returned to Him in contrition and repentance. “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” We pray psalm 126 with our Old Testament brothers and sisters for the many ways in which the Lord has been faithful to us to call from our wayward ways back to Him who is our life and salvation.

CP210926

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Psalm 125: A Prayer of Trust in the Lord’s Strength for His People—Psalm 125 continues the psalms of Ascents. Faith in Christ gives us freedom from sin and the judgment of the Law. Faith in Christ is also our strength against every foe because the Lord makes unequivocal promises to those who believe. “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” The Lord promises protection for His people and to do us good, so that no harm will destroy our life with Him who gave His life for us. His peace abides with His faithful congregation.

CP210919

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Psalm 124: Blessed be the Lord Who Defends His Own—Psalm 124 is another Psalm of Ascents sung by the congregation of Israel in blessing for the Lord’s defense of His people. “If the Lord had not been on our side, we would have perished at the hands of our enemies.” The Lord blesses and defends His Church according to His promise of salvation to us. He is faithful to us even though our faith often wavers in confidence.  This psalm gives encouragement today in the face of persecution and the attempts of those who would destroy the Church. For this protection we pray, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey…Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers…Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” and He will not let us down.

CP210912

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Psalm 123: A Prayer for Help Against Those Who Hold Christians in Contempt—Psalm 123 is another Song of Ascent as the people entered into the Lord’s presence for worship. Christians are often the object of contempt, ridicule, and scorn from those who do not believe in the Gospel. We often grow weary of being attacked because we hold fast to God’s Word and confess the name of Christ. Psalm 123 directs the eyes of faith to look up to the Lord in the heavens, just as a servant relies upon his master or a maid relies upon her mistress for help. We have had our fill of the ridicule of unbelievers, and so we pray for relief in the Lord’s mercy. He will have mercy upon us, for He is our faithful Lord and Savior and He will not abandon us to those who hold us in contempt.

CP210905