Begin with this prayer:

O come, key of David, the Lord of the heavens and all that I can see. I sit with You right now. I quiet my heart to listen to you. As I run the race you’ve set before me today, help me to look towards you who authored and are perfecting my faith. Give me clear and safe passage on the road you’ve set before me. Show me Your good and wise path and give me the desire to follow.

Read these verses aloud several times or listen to the audio recording several times:

Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,” let Israel say;
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.
4 But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

5 May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it, nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them, “The blessing of the Lord be on you; we bless you in the name of the Lord.”

• Sit quietly and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the text. What do you hear Him saying?

Begin with this prayer:

O come, key of David, the Lord of the heavens and all that I can see. I sit with You right now. I quiet my heart to listen to you. As I run the race you’ve set before me today, help me to look towards you who authored and are perfecting my faith. Give me clear and safe passage on the road you’ve set before me. Show me Your good and wise path and give me the desire to follow.

Read these verses aloud several times or listen to the audio recording several times:

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.

5 May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel.

• On a separate piece of paper, write out the (above) Psalm.

Begin with this prayer:

O come, key of David, the Lord of the heavens and all that I can see. I sit with You right now. I quiet my heart to listen to you. As I run the race you’ve set before me today, help me to look towards you who authored and are perfecting my faith. Give me clear and safe passage on the road you’ve set before me. Show me Your good and wise path and give me the desire to follow.

Read these verses aloud several times or listen to the audio recording several times:

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.

5 May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel.

• How has the Holy Spirit prompted your heart as you read right now? What is He saying through these verses?

Begin with this prayer:

O come, key of David, the Lord of the heavens and all that I can see. I sit with You right now. I quiet my heart to listen to you. As I run the race you’ve set before me today, help me to look towards you who authored and are perfecting my faith. Give me clear and safe passage on the road you’ve set before me. Show me Your good and wise path and give me the desire to follow.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

• On a separate piece of paper, write out a prayer for wisdom in building your spiritual house.

Begin with this prayer:

O come, key of David, the Lord of the heavens and all that I can see. I sit with You right now. I quiet my heart to listen to you. As I run the race you’ve set before me today, help me to look towards you who authored and are perfecting my faith. Give me clear and safe passage on the road you’ve set before me. Show me Your good and wise path and give me the desire to follow.

Read these verses aloud several times or listen to the audio recording several times:

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

• What is the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart today? What pops out to you from reading and/or listening?

Begin with this prayer:

O come, Rod of Jesse, the Lord of the heavens and all that I can see. I sit with You right now. I quiet my heart to listen to you. As I run the race you’ve set before me today, help me to look towards you who authored and are perfecting my faith. Set me free from the powers that hold me captive, from my own desires that trip me up. I look to You for victory.

Read these verses aloud several times or listen to the audio recording several times:

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.

6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

• What great things have you seen the Lord do for you? On a separate piece of paper, write out a prayer to Him.

Begin with this prayer:

O come, Rod of Jesse, the Lord of the heavens and all that I can see. I sit with You right now. I quiet my heart to listen to you. As I run the race you’ve set before me today, help me to look towards you who authored and are perfecting my faith. Set me free from the powers that hold me captive, from my own desires that trip me up. I look to You for victory.

Read these verses aloud several times or listen to the audio recording several times:

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.

6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

• What great things have you seen the Lord do for you? On a separate piece of paper, write out a prayer to Him.