Songs of Ascent
This is a title given to fifteen of the Psalms, 120–134. They are also called by other names:
--- Gradual Psalms
--- Songs of Degrees
--- Songs of Steps
--- Pilgrim Songs
They are called Songs of Ascent because the only way to get to Jerusalem was to go up.
Four of them (Psalms 122, 124, 131, and 133) were written by David, and one (127) by Solomon, his son. Three of them (Psalms 131, 133, and 134) have only three verses. The longest is Psalm 132 with 18 verses.
Psalm 120
READ PSALM 120. This anonymous psalm is the first of the 15 Songs of Ascent. In this psalm with seven verses, the psalmist petitions God for deliverance from those with deceitful tongues and warring hearts, such as those of Meshech and Kedar.
Psalm 121
READ PSALM 121. This anonymous psalm is a song of ascent that might have been sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. At the beginning of the pilgrimage, in the mountainous region of the Judean Hills, the pilgrim recognizes that the Lord is the one who can give him the help he needs. The one who trusts in the Lord is certain that He will bring him protection day and night.
The psalmist describes the Lord as the guardian, protector of his keeper of Israel. In the short psalm of only 8 verses.
Verses 1-2: The psalmist looks up to the Lord when he was in need of help. He depended on God Himself.
Verses 3-8: The Lord looks out for the psalmist by not allowing him to fall or stumble. God will protect the psalmist and preserve him day and night.
Prayer moves from the first to the second person in verse 3, and even takes the form of a blessing in verses 7 and 8.
Psalm 122
READ PSALM 122. It is one of the fifteen psalms initially described as a song of ascents written by David. Most people know and recite the first verse, "I was glad when they said, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord.'" It is too bad they limit their knowledge of only that first verse without knowing about the remaining 8 verses.
David offers blessings upon the holy city, Jerusalem, and prays for its prosperity. In Verses 1-5, the psalmist praised God Jerusalem and its people. In Verses 6-9, David prayed for peace, protection, and prosperity for Jerusalem.
Psalm 123
READ PSALM 123. This anonymous psalm is a song of ascent like Psalm 122. It has only four verses. In the first four verses, the word "eyes" is mentioned.
The psalmist was in deep distress, and he expressed his need for mercy by describing two relationships between God and Israel. First, he describes the servant/master relationship. Then he describes the persecuted/protector relationship.
Psalm 124
READ PSALM 124. David is the author of this psalm. He thanks God for His help and deliverance from all woes. He encourages a right relationship with Him.
Notice that David describes the worst of all possible worlds in Verses 1-5. Then he describes the best of all possible worlds in Verses 6-8.
Psalm 125
READ PSALM 125. This psalm is anonymous and one of the 15 psalms of ascents. The psalmist expresses confidence in the Lord's deliverance.
Section 1: God's deliverance (verses 1-3)
Section 2: The psalmist's request (verses 4-5)
Psalm 125 ends with a prayer for peace upon Israel.
Psalm 126
READ PSALM 126. This psalm is anonymous and one of the 15 songs of ascent. Psalm 126 expresses the themes of redemption and joy and gratitude to God. The psalmist remembers God's great deliverance and prays it will continue until completion. He describes Judah's emotion on being released from a terrible captivity.
Notice the psalmist's reaction (verses 2-3), his request (verses 4), and his promise (verses 5-6).
Psalm 127
READ PSALM 127. This is the last of Solomon's two psalms. He reminds us that human care and toil in any area of life are of no value without God's blessings. The first two verses express that "without God, all is in vain." The remaining three verses describe descendants as God's blessing.
Verses 1-2: Foundation for a successful family
Verses 3-5: Fruits from a successful family
Psalm 128
READ PSALM 128. This psalm is anonymous. The psalmist proclaims that a truly happy person fears the Lord, not merely with speech, but in the way he lives.
What are the requirements to be happy?
What are the rewards of being happy?
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