angela hormberg

Tag: Psalm

  • Psalm 129

    Psalm 129

    Commonplace –

    “The Lord is righteous; he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked” (Psalm 129:4).

    In this psalm, the writer is recalling times when their enemies have troubled them, yet the enemy did not prevail. The psalmist compares the wicked to a farmer, who plows the fields and sows his wickedness. Then, the psalmist asks that the plants of the wicked farmer wither, so they do not produce a crop. The psalmist prays that any who pass the wicked do not ask a blessing upon them.

    The theme of this psalm is justice. The writer recalls when God has punished the wicked in the past and prays that justice will be served on the wicked who are against him in the present. Again, there is the remembering the past and the reminding of God’s preservation of the good and punishment of the wicked, which serves to encourage the afflicted in the present.

    In reference to the last verse,

    “Neither do they which go by say,

    The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we bless you in the name of the Lord” (Psalm 129:8).

    In reference to verse 8, Matthew Henry notes,

    “It is a dangerous thing to let the church’s enemies have our good wishes in their designs against the church” (605).

    He cites 2 John 1:10-11

    “If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, do not receive him into your house, neither bid him God speed

    For he that biddeth God speed is a partaker of evil deeds” (2 Jon 10-11)”.

    It is fair warning that to even wish God speed upon an evil doer is considered an act of evil.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 129.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 128

    Psalm 128

    Commonplace –

    “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

    For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be and it shall be well with thee” (Psalm 128:1-2).

    This is a happy song. It shares the secrets to a good life. What constitutes a happy life: a wife that is fruitful, children that grow around the family table, living to see one’s grandchildren, productive labor and seeing the good of the church and peace in the country. These are the blessings given by the Lord to obedient followers. As Matthew Henry notes,

    “…the prosperity of our families depends upon the blessing of God; in this we are taught that the only way to obtain that blessing which will make our families comfortable is to live in the fear of God and in obedience to him” (602).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 128.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 127

    Psalm 127

    Commonplace –

    “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

    As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

    Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate” (Psalm 126:3-5).

    Psalm 127 is “for Solomon”, and it is good to keep this in mind as we read Psalm 127. As Matthew Henry notes, “[t]his is a family psalm” (601). What did David choose to write specifically for his son which was to be repeated aloud by pilgrims en route to festivals in Jerusalem?

    He admonished his son and the pilgrims to remember, that if one builds a house but fails to keep God as its head, it is built in vain. If one rises early and stays up late and is in a constant state of worry, one has failed to remember that it is God, who orders the day. But of the five verses that David wrote for Psalm 127, he focused the majority of them on children, specifically how children are a blessing from the Lord. Specifically, David notes the following about children:

    1. they are a heritage,
    2. they are a reward,
    3. they make a man mighty, and
    4. they bring happiness.

    This admonishment to parents is similar to what children are commanded in regard to their parents:

    “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12).

    Parents are to remember that children are a reward, and children are to remember to honor their parents. Obedience brings its own reward.

    It is good to reflect on all of these thoughts as we ponder the three main points David makes in Psalm 127:

    1. Make God the head of the home, otherwise one labors in vain.
    2. Remember everything one receives is from God, believing otherwise is simply vanity.
    3. Children are a heritage and a reward and make man mighty and happy.

    As Matthew Henry notes,

    “In singing this psalm, we must have our eye up unto God for success in all our undertakings and a blessing upon all our comforts and enjoyments, because every creature is that to us which he makes it to be and no more” (601).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 127.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 126

    Psalm 126

    Commonplace –

    “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

    He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5-6).

    In reading these songs of ascent, it is important to put oneself in the place of one of the pilgrims, who was traveling to Jerusalem. Walking towards the city, the group recites in unison aloud this entire group of psalms. So, here we are traveling the path in the company of our fellow believers. Hopefully, the sun is shining. Depending on the festival and time of year, the air might be crisp (we are, after all, slowly moving up the mountain). The song leader calls out Psalm 126, and we begin to recite.

    In this psalm, the writer begins by reminding the reader about the time when the Jews were freed from captivity; it was a joy filled time, almost as if they were in a dream. The captives were laughing and crying and saying to anyone that would listen, “The Lord has done great things for us” (Psalm 126:2). As a pilgrim, we would be imagining the joy filled scene of our ancestors. What a moment that must have been to be freed from captivity. The Lord acted on the captives behalf, and they were glad.

    Then, the writer of the psalm returns to the present and addresses God with the plea, “Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south” (Psalm 126:4). He is praying that God would accomplish the same for the present day pilgrims, which He had done for the forefathers.

    Finally, the writer ends with this encouragement, which is the commonplace for today, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:6). The flow of the psalm is remember, pray, believe; God has done it before and will do it again.

    These pilgrims were people just like us. Together, they were the church, which has its present problems to solve, but they were also individual people with everyday life challenges. The psalmist was giving these pilgrims a map of how to live life in times of trouble:

    1. Remember a time when God did something that had seemed impossible. Recall the joy felt in that moment.
    2. Pray for God to come into whatever current situation is disturbing.
    3. Believe that God, who was faithful in the past to answer prayer, is faithful in the present to do the same.

    As Matthew Henry notes,

    “It will be easy, in singing this psalm, to apply it either to any particular deliverance wrought for the church or our own land or to the great work of our salvation by Christ” (600).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 126.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 125

    Psalm 125

    Commonplace –

    As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

    What a beautiful picture the psalmist paints here of the landscape surrounding Jerusalem. As the pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem, they would have been singing this psalm as they moved up the very same mountains about which they were singing. Of Jerusalem’s situation, Matthew Henry notes, “Jerusalem had a natural fastness and fortification in the mountains that were round about it, v.2. Those mountains not only sheltered it from winds and tempests, and broke the force of them, but made it also very difficult of access for an enemy, such a defence is God’s providence to his people” (599).

    “…God’s covenant with his people cannot be broken” (599).

    May we all stand on that promise.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 125.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 124

    Psalm 124

    Commonplace –

    “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8).

    The psalm begins with “If it had not been the Lord, who was on our side” and goes into the ramifications of what life would have been without God’s help. Yet, God was on the side of Israel, and they were saved. This song served to remind the Israelites of their history. As they made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, they were to consider all God had done for them.

    As Matthew Henry notes, it is also a reminder to us:

    “It is a comfort to all…that Israel’s God is the same that made the world, and therefore will have a church in the world, and secure that church in times of the greatest danger and distress. In him therefore let the church’s friends put their confidence, and they shall not be put to confusion” (598).

    On one’s own pilgrimage through life, it is helpful to to remember and remind oneself of all the ways God has been “our help”.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 124.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 123

    Psalm 123

    Commonplace –

    “Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens” (Psalm 123:1).

    Looking up is an act of hope. Those without knowledge of God have no such hope and are left to look around for help from the world or look down at their own feet; recognizing, at the same time, their inability to get themselves out of a situation and the feeling of loneliness as they are left to suffer alone. In contrast, the act of looking up is complete recognition that God exists, and He is an ever present help.

    In this psalm, the psalmist recognizes their situation, as one disregarded and looked down upon by those around them. Yet, the one who dwells in the Heavens does recognize him, so he is bereft. Acknowledging the Lord as Maker and Master, he appeals to God for mercy.

    As Matthew Henry notes, “Observe…the title here give to God: O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Our Lord Jesus has taught us, in prayer, to have an eye to God as our Father in heaven; not that he is confined there, but there especially he manifests his glory, as the King in his court” (596). Our God is the God of Heaven and the Maker of Heaven and Earth; He is able to do whatever we ask. We must submit, as the Psalmist acknowledges here, as a servant, waiting patiently for our Lord to respond in His own time, which is always the perfect time.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 123.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 122

    Psalm 122

    Commonplace –

    “Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

    Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord” (Psalm 122:3-4

    Jerusalem was a city of “entirely in the possession of God’s people” (Henry 595); it is a glimpse of Heaven to come, when all God’s people are together. All the people of God went there for the purpose of giving thanks, “which we all have reason to do” (Henry 595).

    “If God speak to us by his word, we have reason to answer him by our thanksgivings. See on what errand we go to public worship, to give thanks” (Henry 595-596).

    Even in our own home, where we live as Christians with our family, we have a micro version of Heaven to come. What better place to give thanks on a continual basis for all God’s provision.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 122.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 121

    Psalm 121

    Commonplace –

    “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

    In his description of this psalm, Matthew Henry writes:

    “…wherever we are, at home or abroad, we are exposed to danger more than we are aware of; and this psalm directs and encourages us to repose ourselves and our confidence in God, and by faith to put ourselves under his protection and commit ourselves to his care, which we must do, with an entire resignation and satisfaction, in singing this psalm” (593).

    In these opening verses, David is comforting himself with the understanding that his help comes from no earthly thing but from God, alone. Surely these words are a a comfort and encouragement when we feel alone and frightened. Whatever the reason, knowing we may at any time simply look to God for help is surely a thought to strengthen our spirit in times of need.

    David points out that God is the maker of heaven and earth, as a reminder that He who created everything is able to do anything. “He that made heaven and earth is sovereign Lord of all the hosts of both, and can make use of them as he pleases for the help of his people, and restrain them when he pleases from hurting his people” (594).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 121.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 120

    Psalm 120

    Commonplace –

    “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue” (Psalm 120:2).

    Matthew Henry points out the two ways those liars around David could have employed their lies:

    1. “By telling lies to him” (Vol 3 592).
      • In this case, Henry comments, ” The most dangerous enemies, and those which it is most hard to guard against, are such as carry on their malicious designs under the colour of friendship. The Lord deliver every good man from lying lips” (Vol 3 592).
    2. “By telling lies of him” (Vol 3 592).
      • Here Henry notes, “This has often been the lot not only of the innocent, but of the excellent ones, of the earth, who have been greatly distressed by lying lips, and have not only had their names blackened and made odious by calumnies in conversation, but their lives, and all that is dear to them in this world, endangered by false-witness-bearing in judgment” (Vol 3 592).

    It’s worthwhile to consider that David, a mighty soldier, complains of lying and the great distress it has brought upon him. A sword is visible, and the one who wields it is visible to his victim. A tongue is like a snake in a cave, it attacks under the cover of darkness. As James pointed out:

    “Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor listeth.

    Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

    And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, so is the tongue amoung our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

    For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

    But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

    Therewith we bless God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

    Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethern, these things ought not so to be” (James 3:4-10).

    While we cannot control the lying tongues of others, we, ourselves, can choose to heed James’ advice. Matthew Henry notes the following list of five admonishments we glean from the words of James:

    1. “We are therefore taught not to use our tongues so as to lord it over others” (Vol 6 792).
    2. “We are taught to govern our tongue so as to prove ourselves perfect and upright men, and such as have an entire government of ourselves” (Vol 6 793).
    3. “We are taught to dread an unruly tongue as one of the greatest and most pernicious evils” (Vol 6 793).
    4. “We are next taught how very difficult a thing it is to govern the tongue” (Vol 6 793).
    5. “We are taught to think of the use we make of our tongues in religion and in the service of God, and by such a consideration to keep it from cursing, censuring, and everything that is evil on other occasions” (Vol 6 794).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 120.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg