There are fifteen songs of degrees, Psalm 120-134. The experts all have different ideas on why they were written. While some believe the Isrealites made several journeys to Jerusalem for several festivals and they sung these songs on various degrees of their journey. While others believe they were sung as they made their journey from Babylon to Jerusalem for the rebuilding of the temple. Still others believe they were sung on the fifteen steps between the courts of the men, and the courts of the women as they entered the precincts of the sacred building.
The songs of degree tell of the progress and experience of Israel after their restoration and waiting for their deliverance from their enemies. There are those who believe these are prophetic books that are referring to the second coming; while others believe the Israelites were looking for the Messiah and had no knowledge of the second coming.
The songs of degrees are centered around Psalms 127, written by Solomon. There are seven (heptad)written before and seven written after. With two of each seven credited to David (122-125 before 131-133 after)and the remaining five of each seven the author is unknown. Each seven contain Jehovah 24 times.
Psalm 120 is a petition to God for deliverance from those with deceitful tongues. In 121 they show their trust in God as the Keeper of Israel. Psalm 122 is a prayer for peace in Jerusalem. Psalm 123 shows a distress psalmist as he turns towards God. In 124-126 they are singing praises to God. In Psalm 127 It tells of the folly of humans who do not rely on the Lord and in 128 It tells of the blessings of family life. Psalm 129 Tells of the Israelites past affliction and the final judgment on their enemies. In Psalm 130 ask God's forgiveness for their sins. Psalm 131 celebrates the blessedness of man that is meek and lowly in spirit; and in Psalm 132 It is Prayers for God's blessing on his holy habitation.
The Israelites did a lot of things wrong and would turn away from God but each time they got in trouble they would turn back to God asking for His mercy and His help. God always helped them when they turned back to Him. He does the same for us. When we have done wrong, He forgives us if we but ask. 1 John 1:9 is written to the children of God
I loved studying these particular psalms a couple of years ago with our Bible Study group. I am always amazing by the treasures hidden in and around these words......no matter how many times I read them, they are always a fresh word.
ReplyDeleteThere were several verses in these "Psalms of Ascents" that are used in some of the great contemporary Christian songs that we sing today. I just think that is SO cool! We are memorizing Scripture and do not even realize it! The deceitful tongue thing is such a problem all around us in today's society as it was back then. Whenever I read something about the problem of the tongue, I think of a song my mom taught to the children's choir at their church that says, "Tame your tongue, brother, tame your tongue. The tongue is like a fire and great damage can be done, so tame your tongue, brother, tame your tongue!" How true is that?
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