Up to Jerusalem: Psalms of Ascent

If you didn’t know, my wife and I were privileged to visit Israel earlier this year. On one Saturday afternoon, after visiting the magnificent Qumran National Park where the Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed, we began making the trip up to Jerusalem, where our trip would end. In this short, 45-minute trip to Jerusalem, we experienced a significant elevation change. Qumran is roughly 1200 feet below sea level, while the Old City of Jerusalem is roughly 3800 feet above sea level, so we climbed almost a mile in elevation. During the climb, watching the scenery and being somewhat oblivious to the spiritual connotations (there are so many to consider), one of our guides mentioned the Psalms of Ascent, which caused my Bible brain to kick back into gear.

Three times a year, all Jewish males were required to travel to Jerusalem to attend the three feasts required by the law: Passover, Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Tabernacles.  All three of these feasts required an offering of “first fruits” to be made at the temple as a way of thanking God for His provision. The upward climb to Jerusalem is where the Psalms of Ascent come into focus. These Psalms (Psalms 120-134) were sung throughout the trip up to Jerusalem.  Some traditions also say that the priests sang these Psalms (songs) as they walked up the steps in the temple.

My wife and I got a chance to sit on the temple steps and hear a reading from the Psalms of Ascent. As I listened, I began imagining all the pilgrims and worshippers singing these Psalms as they entered the temple complex to offer their sacrifices. Today, because of Christ’s finished work on the Cross, we don’t need to bring a physical sacrifice into the temple. His life, ministry, death, resurrection, and assurance of His return have provided everything we need. So, while worshippers and pilgrims from all over Israel sang these Psalms of Ascent as they traveled to Jerusalem, reflecting on how God had provided for them and been faithful to them, we too can read, study, and sing these same Psalms with the same mindset. He is our Provider!