The Psalms of Ascent is also called the Psalms of degrees in the King James Bible. The Psalms of Ascent are Psalms 120-134. There are four different thoughts as to the original meanings and applications. It is possible that at various times all four applications were used. Here are the four thoughts for you to ponder.
- Ascending from Babylon to Jerusalem
- They could have been the songs sung as the people returned to Jerusalem. The wording in Ezra 7:9 gives us this idea because it talks about going up or ascending.
- Ezra 7:9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
- They could have been the songs sung as the people returned to Jerusalem. The wording in Ezra 7:9 gives us this idea because it talks about going up or ascending.
- 15 Steps of the temple on which worshippers sang these hymns. It would be one Psalm per step going up into the temple.
- Literary Reference: the Psalms are written in a well denoted ascending order of thoughts and moods.
- Here is a list of the Psalms with the main ideas.
- 120: A Cry of Distress
- 121: God’s Keeping Power
- 122: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
- 123: Plea for the Mercy of God
- 124: God is on our Side
- 125: A Hymn of Security
- 126: Sow in tears…. Reap in Joy
- 127: Children are God’s Heritage
- 128: Blessing on the House of the God Fearing
- 129: Plea of the Persecuted
- 130: “My Soul waited for the Lord”
- 131: A Psalm of Humility
- 132: Trust in the God of David
- 133: The Preciousness of Unity
- 134: Bless the Lord, All you Servants
- Here is a list of the Psalms with the main ideas.
- Trice Yearly trip to Jerusalem
- It does not matter where you start from, you have to go up geographically to get from any of the surrounding areas to Jerusalem. Therefore, the ascent is a physical ascent to Jerusalem.
- This view has the most to commend it. These Psalms have become known as the “Pilgrim Psalms” sung by those making the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
- I wonder if the idea didn’t start with Ezra and then became the songs that everyone sung when going to Jerusalem.
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[…] Exploring the Four Meanings of the Psalms of Ascent: The Psalms of Ascent (120-134), also called Pilgrim Psalms, reflect different themes such as distress, security, and unity, sung during journeys to Jerusalem, highlighting both physical and spiritual ascent. […]