COMPANION GUIDEIntroduction There is a songbook that has been read, memorized and sung through the history of faith called the Song of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). They were expressed by God-seekers, possibly in sequence, by Hebrew pilgrims as they went up to Jerusalem to the great worship festivals. Topographically, Jerusalem was the highest city in the region, and all who traveled there spent much of their time ascending. But the ascent was not only literal, it was also a metaphor: the trip to Jerusalem acted out a life lived upward toward God, an existence that advanced from one level to another in developing maturity – what Paul described in Philippians 3:14 “the goal, where God is beckoning us onward, to Jesus.” Three times a year faithful Hebrews made that trip to worship (Ex.23:14-17; 34:22-24). As they took steps of ascent toward Jerusalem, they refreshed their memories of God’s saving ways at the Feast of the Passover in the Spring; they renewed their commitments as God’s covenanted people who are blessed to be a blessing at the Feast of Pentecost in early summer; and they responded to give thanks for God’s harvest, his provision for their needs at the Feast of the Tabernacles in the Autumn. They were a redeemed people, a commanded people, a blessed people. These themes were preached and taught and praised at the annual feasts. Between feasts the people lived these three realities in daily discipleship until the time came to go up to the mountain city again as pilgrims to renew the covenant. INSTRUCTIONS: The purpose of this guide is to help you journey through the Psalms of Ascent, as the Israelites did on the way to Jerusalem. With each psalm we’ve provided a closer look at the text, a few other verses to provide context as to what was happening at the time the psalm was written or how the psalm fits into the broader narrative of scripture, and questions to help you process. We encourage you to spend a whole week in each psalm, and have divided up the questions among five days to allow for deeper reflection. For five days each week, read the psalm every day and consider the accompanying questions. We’ve made space for you to journal as you process the journey God takes you on through the Psalms of Ascent! DAILY PRAYER: As the Psalms of Ascent were used as a prayer guide for the pilgrims, we want to provide you with a daily prayer as you make your way through this ancient devotional with God. God, Thank you for today. Let me be who you want me to be, say what you want me to say, do what you want me to do, and go where you want me to go. I surrender to you today, lift my head in hope to see your goodness and faithfulness at work in the world around me. Amen1 I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me. 2 Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. 3 What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue? 4 He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. 5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! 6 Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. 7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. Psalm 120A CLOSER LOOK: Psalm 120 is the first of the Songs of Ascent. The author is anonymous, but is writing as an alien in a faraway land (120:5). Meshech was located on the southeastern edge of the Black Sea, and Kedar was in the Arabian desert. These locations were a great distance apart, therefore the psalmist was not indicating that they had lived in both locations, but should be understood to refer to the scattered people of Israel living among the Gentiles. Despite living a great distance from the temple in Jerusalem and surrounded by people hostile towards them (120:6-7), the psalmist recognizes the faithfulness of God (120:1) as they make their journey home to worship. CONTEXT: Isaiah 30:29, Psalm 42, Exodus 34:24, 1 Kings 25-33DAY 1 REVIEW: What does this Psalm teach us about God? What does this Psalm teach us about people? DAY 2 REFLECT: How has God been faithful to you recently? What truths have you been introduced to or reminded of this week? DAY 3 REFOCUS: How is God lifting your head with hope this week? What does God have set before you that might be challenging? DAY 4 RESPOND: How are you being prompted to respond to God this week? How are you being prompted to respond to others this week? DAY 5 REAFFIRM: What area of your life do you need to commit to growth? What truths do you need to remind yourself of this week? This week in Psalm 120Notes: Prayer God, YOU ARE: THANK YOU FOR: FORGIVE ME FOR: HELP ME WITH: AmenPsalm 121 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.A CLOSER LOOK: It is understood that Psalm 121 was written by a pilgrim on their journey to Jerusalem, who is contemplating God’s grandeur as they approach the hills surrounding the city (121:1). Place yourself in the psalmist’s situation, they likely are nearing the end of a long and arduous journey, with the foothills around Jerusalem presenting a final challenge before they reach their destination. Maybe they are reflecting on God’s protection for their travels thus far, or maybe they are seeking help for the last leg (121:3). Either way, the sentiments here should not be understood as limited to this one pilgrimage, but rather that God’s sovereign protection will guard us in every situation (121:7). God, the maker of heaven and earth is all powerful (121:2) and ever watchful (121:3-4), and will keep the pilgrim’s life secure. CONTEXT: Romans 8:37-39, Jeremiah 3:23, 1 Samuel 2:9, Revelation 7:14-17Next >