March 25, 2005
The people of Israel sang the Psalms of Ascent as they headed up to Jerusalem for the yearly feasts, such as Passover. In this message, Alistair Begg explains how three of these songs point ahead to three greater truths. The whole biblical story unfolds toward these eternal realities—a throne occupied by the true son of David, a family comprised of all of God’s people, and a celebration where we will bless the Lord forever.
1Remember, O Lord, in David's favor,
all the hardships he endured,
2how he swore to the Lord
and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
3“I will not enter my house
or get into my bed,
4I will not give sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5until I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7“Let us go to his dwelling place;
let us worship at his footstool!”
8Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy.
10For the sake of your servant David,
do not turn away the face of your anointed one.
11The Lord swore to David a sure oath
from which he will not turn back:
“One of the sons of your body1
I will set on your throne.
12If your sons keep my covenant
and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
their sons also forever
shall sit on your throne.”
13For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his dwelling place:
14“This is my resting place forever;
here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15I will abundantly bless her provisions;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
and her saints will shout for joy.
17There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18His enemies I will clothe with shame,
but on him his crown will shine.”
1Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!1
2It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
3It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.
1Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
2Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord!
3May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!
Copyright © 2023, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.