Today’s reading is Psalm 129.
The Deleted Scenes of the First Two Psalms
Over the years, my favorite part of DVDs and Blu-Rays have been…well…I guess my favorite part has still been getting to watch the movie again. But a close second is the deleted scenes section. I really love it when the producers are able to release an Extended Edition incorporating scenes they didn’t use in the theatrical version.
I love Psalm 129 for this very reason. It won’t surprise you to learn our present psalm looks all the way back to Psalms 1 and 2. With references to the Lord’s righteousness (Psalm 1:6), the wicked (Psalm 1:1, 4-6), a cutting of cords (Psalm 2:3), Zion (Psalm 2:6), and withered plants (Psalm 1:4), our pilgrim clearly has Psalms 1 and 2 in mind. The thing is it includes scenes the first two psalms skipped. But they are scenes we need to know lest we give up on the promises of the preeminent psalms.
In the first two psalms and in this week’s, the wicked are judged. God’s people are blessed. Certainly, in Psalm 2, the wicked counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed. But it never gets beyond words and meetings. Our pilgrim singer in these Songs of Ascents, however, is aware there are other really big scenes in the story of those blessed by God.
The scenes cut from Psalms 1 and 2 are found in Psalm 129:1-3.
“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”–
let Israel now say–
“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth
yet they have not prevailed against me.
The plowers plowed upon my back;
they made long their furrows” (ESV).
In the end, Psalm 1 and 2 are true. Hang on to them. They show where we are going. But they do not show what it feels like all along the way. The wicked ultimately are chaff driven away by the wind, just as they really are like grain trying to grow on the dirt of a rooftop. They will not stand. Their way will perish and if they stay on it, so will they. However, there are times when instead of being a fruitless harvest, the wicked are more like farmers who throw the righteous down on the ground and plow across their backs. The first two psalms skipped these scenes.
In the Songs of Ascents (Psalm 120-134), our pilgrim began in the distant regions of Meshech and Kedar. He climbed the mountains and made it to Jerusalem. What a joy it was to be in God’s city. Yet, he discovered, even there the wicked sometimes seem to be in charge. Further, for all the joy of restoration, he faced dry times. Yet, he kept on praying and kept on serving the Lord. He knew the Lord was a merciful Master and was working on his side. He looked forward to the blessing. And now he looks back over his journey, life, and pilgrimage again. He remembers the pain of abuse and trauma. He hasn’t stuck to the journey because every leg of it was easy and pleasant. He has stuck to the journey because He believes in God’s promised outcome. God hasn’t made it easy for Him. But God has kept him alive and not allowed the enemy to win.
So he hangs on another day.
Let’s face it. This is easy and comforting when we, like the Psalmist, are looking back on the days that were traumatic. We can say, “Oh yeah. I know what that’s like.” But this psalm isn’t written only for people who have come through traumatic days. It is written primarily for people in traumatic days. It is written for those upon whose backs the wicked still plow. It is written for those who feel the afflictions. It is a promise to you. Those days happen. Just because you are in them does not necessarily mean you have failed God (if you have, next week’s psalm will speak to that) and they certainly don’t mean God has abandoned you. This too shall pass. I cannot tell you how long the affliction will last or when the reversal will come. But I promise you it will.
Hang on another day. The Lord will bless those who fear Him and walk in His ways.
Praise the Lord!
Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 129.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Psalm 129 prompt or improve your praise of God?
Read the Bible 