​Read Psalm 125
A Song of Ascents.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
 
Journal Questions:
1) What mindset should I have when encountering God?
 
2) What changes do I need to make to prepare to worship God?
 
3) Am I open and real with God when I worship? Why or why not?

​Read Psalm 124
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
let Israel now say—
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
 
Journal Questions:
1) Why should we bless God?
 
2) What is the attitude of the Psalmist when preparing to worship?
 
3) What do we learn about God in this?

​Read: Psalm 123
A Song of Ascents.
To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he has mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
4 Our soul has had more than enough
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
 
Journal Questions: 
1) Where is the Psalmists focus?
 
2) Where is your focus?
 
3) How do we keep our focus where it needs to be?

​Read Psalm 122
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
I was glad when they said to me,
Let us go to the house of the Lord!
2 Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!
8 For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, Peace be within you!
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
 
Journal Questions:
1) What is the Psalmist pursuing as he prepares for worship?
 
2) How do you prepare for worship?

​Read:  Psalms 124-127
There is certainly a place for ceremony and symbolism in Christian worship.  When done properly – and biblically – this can help us better understand God’s wondrous nature and work.
 
On the other hand, God has a way of reaching us where we live day to day, and the psalmists had that perspective, too.  As we continue to reflect on the “songs of ascent,” we find the topics of these songs to be very practical in nature.
 
The world of work
In Psalm 126, for example, the idea of God “restoring the fortunes” of Israel is described in the context of farming (with the full range of emotions that accompany that difficult work).
 
Psalm 127 speaks to the tasks of building, both physical buildings and families.  Both require lots of “work,” and both go better when depending on God’s help.
 
Remember, these songs were sung in the context of approaching Jerusalem and temple worship. Interesting how so many of the reflections referred to everyday life events.
 
Where is God?
Some talk of worship as “seeking God,” and too often the context is limited to the church sanctuary. While we certainly think this is important, it is unfair to keep God in the “box” of a four-walled building or room.
 
May these psalms give us continued sensitivity to God’s presence and power in our daily lives. He’s there; are we noticing?

​Read Psalm 121
A Song of Ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
 
Journal Questions:
1) How secure is the Psalmist in God?
 
2) What is the attitude of the Psalmist when preparing to worship?
 
3) What do we learn about God in this?

​Read Psalm 120
A Song of Ascents.
In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
4 A warrior's sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
 
Journal Questions:
1) How was the Psalmist feeling approaching the temple?
 
2) What is the attitude of the Psalmist when preparing to worship?
 
3) What do we learn about God in this?

​Read Psalm 119:169-176
169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
 
Journal Questions:
1) What’s the biggest things you’ve learned about God’s Word these last few weeks?
 
2) How would your describe God after walking through this Psalm?
 
3) What are the two biggest things you need to change in light or studying the Psalm?

​Read Psalm 119:161-168
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous rules.
165 Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
 
Journal Questions:
1. What do we learn about God’s Word?
 
2. What do we learn about God?
 
3. Why should I intently listen to God’s Word?

​Read:  Psalms 120-123
We Michiganders are fond of going “up north.”  We say that because “north” is “up” on the map.
 
Scripture often refers to people going “up to Jerusalem,” but they said “up” because Jerusalem is situated on a high hill. Regardless of where they started according to the compass, people had to go “up” to reach Jerusalem.
 
That physical reality grew to have symbolic meaning as the Jews traveled to Jerusalem for festivals and temple worship.  Psalms 120-134 became known as “Songs of Ascent” because of the physical “uphill” travel.  Some would also consider the fact that God has (or should have) a position of high authority in our minds and hearts.
 
Not simply celebration
These songs represent a variety of human mood and attitude.  While one might think that traveling to the temple would always be a joyous occasion, the psalmists were honest when things weren’t exactly “happy.” (Who among us is not aware of the challenges to get the family to Sunday worship without some kind of “distress”?)
 
As in Psalm 120, it’s good for us to be honest with God about our feelings; he knows the truth, regardless!  But look for the ways in which the psalmists still find a worthwhile encounter with Him!
 
Looking “up” in more ways than one
As noted earlier, these psalms are called “songs of ascent” because of the physical trip up the hill to Jerusalem.  But many of the psalms also note the spiritual trip “up,” as God is “enthroned in the heavens” (Psalm 123:1).
 
Even during the tough times, God is seen as a source of help and deliverance.  While the original context of the Psalms was Jewish worship in Jerusalem, may we look for application of our worship of a God whom we can encounter on a daily basis in real life!