Tag: Psalms of Ascent
Jerusalem–city of God
Scripture reading for June 28th: Psalms 120-127
Today’s reading is a set of psalms that were known as the “songs of ascent”. These were songs sung by pilgrims as they traveled on their three required yearly visits to the temple for the celebrations of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The pilgrims came up the road from Jericho to Jerusalem and experienced an elevation change from 1200 feet below sea level in Jericho area to over 2600 feet above sea level in Jerusalem. The climb was difficult for several reasons. It was a dry area with little water and the terrain was rough. It was also an area known to be inhabited by robbers and marauders who would prey on the pilgrims.
The first psalm in this series begins with the pilgrim in distress. He is living among those who hate peace. They are deceitful people and have lying tongues. He is far from God’s house and God’s people and realizes his need to call on the Lord as he begins his journey to the city of God. This journey may be what you need today, take time to call on the Lord and decide to move towards Him!
Psalm 121 is a favorite psalm of many. I memorized it as a child in Sunday School. As the psalmist begins the journey upward to Jerusalem, his eyes see the hills and he realizes that this journey is impossible in his own strength! The climb is difficult and there are many dangers. He confesses that his help comes from the Lord, who is Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2) No matter what obstacle, hazard or mountain of difficulty, God is with us!
The central goal of the journey is Jerusalem, the city of God! It’s a city closely compacted, a tight-knit community centered around the temple and worship of the Lord! The tribes go up to praise the Lord according to His statutes! (Psalm 122:4) Jerusalem is the city of ‘peace’ and all are encouraged to pray for the peace of the city. In a world where war, hatred, lying and deceitful tongues form the social context of where we live, peace is the norm in God’s city. Take time today to pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Even life forever more!
Scripture reading for June 29th: Psalms 128-134
“How good and pleasant it is when brother live together in unity! It is like the precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3
Psalm 133 is one of the next to the last of the songs of ascents and speaks of an important aspect of life in the family and city of God. Living together with others in harmony is not something that comes naturally. Each person has different desires, likes, attitudes, and temperaments. Selfishness often causes fighting, strife and complaining. Unity is an elusive quality in most homes, churches, and nations.
Jesus picked twelve disciples and they struggled with unity. They argued and disputed among themselves about who would be the greatest. Two of them got their mother to intercede for them! (Matthew 20:20-23) Jesus taught them that the way to unity was to take the lowest place and serve. At the Last Supper, He took a towel and washed their feet, teaching them by example. (John 13:12-17) Later that same night, Jesus prayed that they would be kept in complete unity so the world might believe that Jesus was sent by the Father! (John 17:20-23) Unity was an essential quality to spreading the Gospel in Christ’s Church!
The unity of brothers was likened to the anointing of the High Priest. Oil was poured on his head as a symbol of special blessing from above. The oil would flow from the head down to beard and drip onto the collar of the robe. This anointing brought the enablement of the Spirit of God to pray and intercede on behalf of the people. Jesus Christ is our High Priest! He was anointed by the Father and has prayed for us. That anointing to pray and walk in peace flows from our High Priest to us today!
The last analogy is that of dew on Mt. Hermon. Dew comes in the cool of the evening on grass, rocks, and trees. It brings refreshing and helps the plant life prepare for another day. Salvation brings us into God’s community of unity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Their perfect unity permeates our souls and brings blessing–life forever more!
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Scripture reading for June 28th: Psalms 120-127
Today’s reading begins a set of 15 psalms that were known as the “Songs of Ascent”. These were songs sung by pilgrims as they traveled on their three required yearly visits to the temple for the celebrations of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The pilgrims usually came up the road from Jericho to Jerusalem; an elevation change from 1200 feet below sea level in Jericho to over 2400 feet above sea level in Jerusalem. Additionally, it was a dry area with little water and rough terrain. It was also an area known to be inhabited by robbers and marauders who would prey on the pilgrims.
The first psalm in this series began with the pilgrim in a place of distress. He was living among those who hated peace. Around him were deceitful people with lying tongues. He was far from God’s house and realized his need to call on the Lord for help on the journey. If this is where you are today, take time to call on the Lord and decide to move towards Him!
When I was a child in Sunday School, I memorized Psalm 121. As the psalmist began the journey to Jerusalem from Jericho, his eyes saw the hills and he realized that this journey was impossible in his own strength! He confessed that his help came from the Lord, who was Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2) The Lord would keep him safe and watch over him day and night. In fact, God will keep him from all harm, not only now but forever! No matter what obstacle or mountain of difficulty you face, remember that God is with you!
The central goal of the journey was Jerusalem, the city of God! Psalm 122 was a song that reminded the traveler of the joy that awaited him there in God’s presence. It was a city closely compacted, a tight-knit community centered around the temple and worship of the Lord! Jerusalem was a city of peace and all pilgrims were encouraged to pray for the peace of the city. In a world where war, hatred, lying and deceitful tongues form the social context of where we live every day, prayer for the peace of Jerusalem prepares our hearts to meet with God. Take time today to pray for the peace of Jerusalem to fill your life on your faith journey!