Download or read book Pilgrim Songs written by Edward Dennett and published by Irving Risch. This book was released on 2015-02-16 with total page 89 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE Psalms bearing this title are fifteen in number (Psalms 120-134), and, while diversified in their contents, are manifestly bound intimately together, and make progress towards a desired goal. They have afforded much interest and instruction to God's people in all ages, even if imperfectly understood and applied; and the interest and instruction will rather be deepened if their divine intent and object are apprehended. The significance of the title, which these Psalms bear, has been much discussed; but almost all the various opinions offered may be included in what undoubtedly is the true solution. For example, the word translated "degrees" is almost universally allowed to be that used of the recurring journeys of Israel up to Jerusalem for the several festivals, and some accordingly have maintained that these songs were sung by the godly at the various stages of their route. Others seeing references to a later period, to the turning again of the captivity of Zion (Psalm 126), have concluded that they were used on the pilgrim journey from Babylon to Jerusalem for the rebuilding of the temple. (Ezra 1-3.) Another class of interpreters assert that the whole of the fifteen Psalms were sung on "the fifteen steps between the court of the men and the court of the women," as the pilgrim bands were actually entering the precincts of the sacred building. Without discussing these several theories, it will suffice to point out that all alike coincide in making the temple the object, or goal, to which the faces of the pilgrims were turned; and secondly, that all alike fail to perceive the prophetical character of these Psalms. It is in the combination of these two points that the truth will be found. To take the latter point first, it is easy from many allusions to prove that the Psalms are mainly prophetical. Reference has already been made to Psalm 126, where it is said, "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them," etc. (vv. 1, 2.) That the restoration from Babylon was a shadow of a larger fulfilment may be readily conceded; but to those who are acquainted with the predictions of the prophets concerning the establishment of the kingdom under the glorious Messiah, nothing short of the future deliverance and glory of Zion could be accepted as answering to this description. The last verse of the Psalm, indeed, will only find its complete fulfilment in Christ as King in Zion. Predictions, only to be realized after the Lord has restored His earthly people to blessing under His own sway, are as plainly found in Psalms 124, 125, 128, 130, 132-134. The last three Psalms of the series undoubtedly justify the contention that the temple, the habitation of the Mighty One of Jacob, is the longed-for end, or consummation. If, however, the prophetic interpretation of these Psalms be allowed, the temple will not be that which Solomon, or Zerubbabel, built, but that which the Man, whose name is the BRANCH, will build, even He who shall bear the glory, and shall sit, and rule, a priest upon His throne; that is, Christ Himself. (SeeZechariah 6:12-15.) Another point must be mentioned, viz., that it is clear from many parts of these Psalms that Israel is viewed as in the land, after their having been scattered, and yet not finally delivered from the power of their oppressors. The reader should notice the recurrence of the word Israel, as showing that it is not only the presence of the two tribes (Judah and Benjamin) in the land, but that also the ten tribes have been restored; that, moreover, they now once again form but one nation (seeEzekiel 37:18-28), and that Zion and the temple form the centre, as the seat of government and blessing, for all. Still, as already said, they are not yet finally delivered from their adversaries. They thus cry, "Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud." (Psalm 122:3, 4; also Psalm 124.) What we have, then, in these Songs of Degrees is the progress and experience of Israel, after their restoration, while waiting for the interposition of Jehovah to deliver them from all their enemies, and to establish them in security and blessing. It is not, therefore, Christianity or Christian experience which must be sought for in these Psalms; but, inasmuch as the principles of the divine life, or of the divine nature, in souls are the same in every dispensation, much instruction may be here gleaned by Christians. Two things are never found in the Psalms, nor, indeed, in the Old Testament — the revelation of the Father, nor, consequently, the Spirit of adoption. These are only known after Pentecost, though our blessed Lord revealed the Father when with His disciples. (John 14:9-11.) It was not possible, however, for them to apprehend the revelation made until they had received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Unless we bear in mind this distinction, when reading the Psalms, we are apt to lose sight of the heavenly calling, and the heavenly character of Christianity. A few words may be added concerning the structure of this interesting group of Psalms. "All are grouped," says a pious expositor, "around Psalm 127, which was written by Solomon. . . . On both sides there stands a heptad (i.e., seven) of pilgrim songs, consisting of two Psalms written by David, and five others, which have no name attached. Both sevens are divided into four and three.* Each heptad (seven) contains the name of Jehovah twenty-four times; each of the connected groups (Psalms 120-123, 124-126, 128-131, 132-134.) twelve times." Surely the facts here stated show the impress of a divine Hand, the Hand which guided and controlled those who have been thus used as vehicles both of a divine design, and of divine thoughts. To cite once again, "the unity (of these Psalms) is not one merely of form, it also refers to the thoughts," for while different servants were chosen to express them, the Author of all alike is the Spirit of God. These facts should furnish an additional incentive to the earnest and devout study of this portion of the Holy Scriptures.† *The reader may recall that this division is also found in the New Testament, as, for example, in the seven parables of Matthew 13, in the seven churches, the seven seals, the seven trumpets, etc., of the Apocalypse. †We append one of the latest (perhaps the latest) descriptions of the character of the "Songs of Degrees" for the consideration of the reader. "We have now reached the so-called 'Songs of Degrees,' a clearly defined series of fifteen psalms, which, with two thanksgiving psalms appended, forms the third division of the Fifth Book. These songs of degrees are rather 'songs of the ascents,' which we are surely right in interpreting in the first place by reference to those ascents of the tribes thrice a year to the feasts at Jerusalem, which are spoken of in the third psalm of this very series. (Psalm 122:4.) But this only furnishes a clue to the inner meaning this repeated call to the city of God being in view of those 'set times' of Leviticus 23, which speak of those gracious acts of God towards His people, which for all eternity will call them round Himself in praise. The 'ascents' are, therefore, above all else, ascents of the heart to Him because of His grace; and this is in fact what these songs are — a recounting in a five-fold series the Divine ways towards Israel, by which their blessing has been accomplished, and for which their hearts will endlessly praise Him. With this the 'climbing' movement of the psalms themselves, which Delitzch adduces, after Gesenius, is in intimate sympathy — a feature which only shows how perfectly the form of these inspired songs is moulded by their spirit, while it by no means allows us to degrade them, as their materialistic interpretation would, by making the form the whole thing."
Download or read book The Pilgrim Psalms an Exposition of the Songs of Degrees Psalms CXX CXXIV By the Rev N M Michael With the Text written by and published by . This book was released on 1860 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Pilgrim Psalms an Exposition of the Songs of Degrees Psalms Cxx cxxxiv written by Neil M'Michael and published by . This book was released on 1860 with total page 364 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Pilgrim Psalms an Exposition of the Songs of Degrees By the Rev Samuel Cox With the Text written by and published by . This book was released on 1874 with total page 346 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Zion s Pilgrim to Wich is Added Zion s Pilgrim Past Seventy written by Robert Hawker and published by . This book was released on 1842 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Pilgrim Songs on the Return from Captivity Psalms CXX CXXXIV newly Arranged and Translated by George A Moberly written by and published by . This book was released on 1872 with total page 24 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book A Christian s songs in the house of his pilgrimage written by George Allen (writer of verse.) and published by . This book was released on 1848 with total page 202 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Sing a New Song written by Irene Nowell and published by Liturgical Press. This book was released on 1993 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What happens to the Responsorial Psalm in the Sunday liturgy? How can it help us pray the Sunday readings? How can it help in planning the liturgy? The Responsorial Psalm is the most neglected part of the Liturgy of the Word, yet it can be the key to all the rest. Its intent is to help bring the message of the other readings into our lives. This book addresses the riches of the Responsorial Psalm for every Sunday of the three-year cycle. It explains the psalm genre, offers exposition on the meaning and beauty of the psalm itself, and comments on the relationship of the Responsorial Psalm to the other readings. It is the book for anyone who wants to understand and appreciate the Sunday readings -- preachers, catechists, liturgists and all the people in the pews.
Download or read book Beautiful Songs for Zion s Children etc written by A. F. ABBOTT (Religious Song Writer.) and published by . This book was released on 1863 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Songs of Pilgrimage written by Horace Lorenzo Hastings and published by . This book was released on 1888 with total page 590 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Caravan and the Temple and Songs of the Pilgrims Psalms Cxx Cxxxiv written by Edward Jewitt Robinson and published by . This book was released on 1878 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book A Commentary on the Psalms written by Allen P. Ross and published by Kregel Academic. This book was released on with total page 898 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Brilliant commentary on the most cherished book of the Bible
Download or read book Pilgrim Songs number Two written by Congregational Sunday-School and Publishing Society and published by . This book was released on 1902 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Mission of the Church In Paul s Letter to the Philippians in the Context of Ancient Judaism written by J. Patrick Ware and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2005 with total page 403 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Illumining the Jewish context of early Christian mission, this study through close exegesis of Paul's letter to the Philippians reveals the crucial place of the mission of the church in Paul's thought.
Download or read book Women Church and Leadership New Paradigms written by Eunjoo Mary Kim and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2012-04-06 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is about leadership, a scholarly and pastoral response to the urgent demand for the renewal of the contemporary Christian church. It challenges readers to articulate the identity and vision of the church in new ways, and encourages them to revitalize their ministry with fresh insight and passion from women's perspectives. The eight essays written by female scholars in relation to various areas of theological study and the nine pastoral responses to the essays written by ministers from seven different denominations, based on their experiences of actual ministerial settings, provide new paradigms of church leadership--theologically profound, practically relevant, and historically timely. This volume, a product of a collaborative process between academia and church, promises to be a most useful resource to renew the leadership of the church and its vocational commitment to the transformation of the church and society.
Download or read book A Disciple s Heart Companion Reader written by Justin LaRosa and published by Abingdon Press. This book was released on 2015-02-03 with total page 95 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discipleship in the Methodist tradition affirms that there is always more work for God to do in the human heart. A Disciple's Heart attempts to reclaim and, in a sense, reinterpret for today John Wesley’s understanding of this transformation of the heart, which he called “Christian perfection,” with the goal of equipping participants to continue to grow into the likeness of God’s love in Christ. Designed to be used in a small group and, if desired, a congregation-wide emphasis, the Companion Reader, designed for both group members and leaders, provides background and deeper understanding of each week’s theme from a distinctly Wesleyan perspective.
Download or read book Spiritual Songs for Social Worship written by Thomas Hastings and published by . This book was released on 1837 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
