The Playlist of Faith - A Series on Psalms - Psalms of Ascent

---

Psalms Of Ascent

Psalms 120-134 are a special collection of 15 psalms. They are believed to have been sung by pilgrims as they "ascended" the road to Jerusalem for the three major annual feasts (Passover, Weeks, and Tabernacles). This journey was not just a physical one; it was also a spiritual pilgrimage, a movement from the mundane to the holy, from scattered life to a concentrated encounter with God.

General Questions for the Collection (Psalms 120-134)

1. What does the term "ascent" suggest to you, both physically and spiritually? How does this concept of "going up" relate to your own faith journey?

2. Read through the entire collection (Psalms 120-134). What common themes or motifs do you notice? (e.g., trust in God, peace, protection, community, distress, joy).

3. Imagine yourself as an Israelite pilgrim on the road to Jerusalem, singing these psalms. What emotions would you be experiencing? How would singing these songs with others impact your journey?

4. How can we, as modern believers, apply the lessons of a physical pilgrimage to our own spiritual lives? What does it mean for us to be "going up" toward the "New Jerusalem" (Hebrews 12:22)?

Specific Questions for Individual Psalms

• Psalm 120: The psalmist is in a place of distress, surrounded by deceitful people.

  • Where in your life do you feel like you're "living in Meshech" or "among the tents of Kedar"—in a place that is hostile to your faith?

  • How does the psalmist's response (crying out to the Lord) encourage you to handle conflict and distress?

    
    

• Psalm 121: This psalm is a beautiful declaration of God's protection.

  • The psalmist asks, "Where does my help come from?" Where do you typically look for help in times of trouble?

  • The psalm repeats the idea that the Lord "keeps" or "watches over" his people. What does this mean to you? How does it feel to know that God "neither slumbers nor sleeps" (v. 4)?

  • What are the "sun" and "moon" in your own life—the dangers or obstacles from which you need God's protection?

    
    

• Psalm 122: A joyful celebration of going to the house of the Lord.

  • What brings you joy in corporate worship? How does your attitude when you go to church compare to the psalmist's?

  • The psalmist prays for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem. How can we apply this by praying for our own local church and community?

    
    

• Psalm 127: This psalm reminds us that our efforts are in vain without the Lord's blessing.

  • The psalm says, "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." In what areas of your life (e.g., family, work, ministry) do you feel like you are toiling without God's help?

  • How does this psalm challenge the idea that we can achieve our goals through sheer effort and hard work alone?

    
    

• Psalm 133: A short but powerful psalm about unity.

  • The psalm compares unity to "precious oil" and "the dew of Hermon." What do these images tell you about the nature and effect of unity among God's people?

  • Why is unity so important in the Christian community? What are some things that hinder unity in your church or in the broader body of Christ?