Paul Hancock is Director of Training, Midlands Gospel Partnership.

Things couldn’t be worse!  The psalmist is in the very depths of despair.  His sin has separated him from God, so he cries out for mercy.  He experiences the Lord’s redemption and unfailing love. He’s forgiven.  Things couldn’t be better!

We live in a troubled and uncertain world. Psalm 126 helps us to discover where true joy is to be found. It is realistic and addresses life as it really is, being full of hope and encouragement.

In this Psalm we see how Old Testament pilgrimage to Jerusalem was a communal affair: an obedient journey by God's people to remember and give thanks for God's goodness and be a part of his City under the rule of his King. It also points us forwards to a new Jerusalem.

John Russell sets us off on 'The Journey', our new summer series at The 7pm. In this sermon we are introduced to the collection of Psalms known as the Psalms of Ascent, and look at Psalm 120, learning how to respond 'When words wound you'.