A Song of Ascents? (Real Bible question, not let's argue some more.)

[Depleted]

In ESV, Ps. 121's first four words is "A Song of Ascents." In KJV, it is "A Song of Degrees."

In seven commentaries the commentators ignore those words as it they do not exist. Whereas, I do see it as a "God will place you where he wants you to go, and he will constantly guide you, so don't sweat" song, for the life of me I do not get what those first four words mean.

First, is it a title?

And second, to what ascent or degree? What does it mean?

 

[Willie-T]

Looking at several translations, this appears to be just a title that may have been added to make the reading go more smoothly as pertaining to divisions in thought.

 

[Desertsrose]

The Songs of Ascent are a special group of psalms comprising Psalms 120—134. They are also called Pilgrim Songs. Four of these songs are attributed to King David (122, 124, 131, 133) and one to Solomon (127), while the remaining ten are anonymous.

The city of Jerusalem is situated on a high hill. Jews traveling to Jerusalem for one of the three main annual Jewish festivals traditionally sang these songs on the “ascent” or the uphill road to the city. According to some traditions, the Jewish priests also sang some of these Songs of Ascent as they walked up the steps to the temple in Jerusalem.

Each of the psalms in this collection begins with the title “A Song of Ascents.” While perhaps they were not originally composed for this purpose, these psalms were later grouped together for use in traveling toward Jerusalem for the yearly Jewish festivals.

The theme of each Song of Ascent offers much encouragement for those who seek to worship God today:

Psalm 120: God’s presence during distress
Psalm 121: Joyful praise to the Lord
Psalm 122: Prayer for Jerusalem
Psalm 123: Patience for God’s mercy
Psalm 124: Help comes from the Lord
Psalm 125: Prayer for God’s blessing upon His people
Psalm 126: The Lord has done great things
Psalm 127: God’s blessing on man’s efforts
Psalm 128: Joy for those who follow God’s ways
Psalm 129: A cry for help to the Lord
Psalm 130: A prayer of repentance
Psalm 131: Surrender as a child to the Lord
Psalm 132: God’s sovereign plan for His people
Psalm 133: Praise of brotherly fellowship and unity
Psalm 134: Praise to God in His temple

The Songs of Ascent continue to find a place among the many hymns and songs of worship of Jews and Christians today. They serve as powerful examples of how we can express our worship and love for God through the power of song. From gotquestions.org

 

[oldethennew]

in scripture, when ever one is going to journey to Jerusalem, it is always phrased
that, 'we are going up to Jerusalem' - it's whether one is from a higher geo elevation,
north, south, what ever, it is always UP, you ascend...these songs of ascent were always
sung by the pilgrims going up to the (3) great-yearly-feasts from where ever they lived...


I have also read that the Levites would sing PS. 120 on the steps of the Temple and as they
finished one song, they would go-up to the next step and sing the next Ps/song, etc...
this would symbolize Spiritual Growth and getting 'closer and closer to God...

 

[Depleted]

The Songs of Ascent are a special group of psalms comprising Psalms 120—134. They are also called Pilgrim Songs. Four of these songs are attributed to King David (122, 124, 131, 133) and one to Solomon (127), while the remaining ten are anonymous.

The city of Jerusalem is situated on a high hill. Jews traveling to Jerusalem for one of the three main annual Jewish festivals traditionally sang these songs on the “ascent” or the uphill road to the city. According to some traditions, the Jewish priests also sang some of these Songs of Ascent as they walked up the steps to the temple in Jerusalem.

Each of the psalms in this collection begins with the title “A Song of Ascents.” While perhaps they were not originally composed for this purpose, these psalms were later grouped together for use in traveling toward Jerusalem for the yearly Jewish festivals.

The theme of each Song of Ascent offers much encouragement for those who seek to worship God today:

Psalm 120: God’s presence during distress
Psalm 121: Joyful praise to the Lord
Psalm 122: Prayer for Jerusalem
Psalm 123: Patience for God’s mercy
Psalm 124: Help comes from the Lord
Psalm 125: Prayer for God’s blessing upon His people
Psalm 126: The Lord has done great things
Psalm 127: God’s blessing on man’s efforts
Psalm 128: Joy for those who follow God’s ways
Psalm 129: A cry for help to the Lord
Psalm 130: A prayer of repentance
Psalm 131: Surrender as a child to the Lord
Psalm 132: God’s sovereign plan for His people
Psalm 133: Praise of brotherly fellowship and unity
Psalm 134: Praise to God in His temple

The Songs of Ascent continue to find a place among the many hymns and songs of worship of Jews and Christians today. They serve as powerful examples of how we can express our worship and love for God through the power of song. From gotquestions.org

Ah! Cool! Thanks.

 

[Depleted]

in scripture, when ever one is going to journey to Jerusalem, it is always phrased
that, 'we are going up to Jerusalem' - it's whether one is from a higher geo elevation,
north, south, what ever, it is always UP, you ascend...these songs of ascent were always
sung by the pilgrims going up to the (3) great-yearly-feasts from where ever they lived...


I have also read that the Levites would sing PS. 120 on the steps of the Temple and as they
finished one song, they would go-up to the next step and sing the next Ps/song, etc...
this would symbolize Spiritual Growth and getting 'closer and closer to God...

Oo, oo! More good info. Thank you!

 

[Desertsrose]

​I'm glad you asked. I learned something new today.

For the past three weeks I've been in a study teaching on praying the Psalms. I think I'll make a note in my bible that these are the Songs of Accent. And I'll focus my prayers for others on those specific Psalms for awhile.

I think I'll let my teacher know about them and maybe it will begin teaching others about the Songs of Accents.

 

[Desertsrose]

Here's one sung by a Jewish man. It's beautiful!

[video=youtube;o8qUDDz_TVY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8qUDDz_TVY[/video]

 

[oldethennew]

absolutely Beautiful! TY so much for posting it DesertRose...

over-coming our weaknesses, and striving for humility in our lives as we Love our walk
in and for Christ, a daily blessing for sure, for those who desire such an honor...

Todah Rabah

 

[Desertsrose]

Bevakasha

Amen, it's a daily blessing. I'm thrilled you said is's a daily blessing as opposed to a daily struggle (although it can be).

Have you been to Israel? Do you know Hebrew?

 

[stonesoffire]

Here's one sung by a Jewish man. It's beautiful!

[video=youtube;o8qUDDz_TVY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8qUDDz_TVY[/video]

It is beautiful...thank you for posting

As I was listening and looking at the traits...I saw something about the Jews and their heart. I saw a longing for God...and a new way to look at the law. They didn't have the power within...but they wanted it. Law was all they had.

I see a love for them too by the Lord. And I can see why they were the chosen. Just all came in a flash.

 

[oldethennew]

Bevakasha

Amen, it's a daily blessing. I'm thrilled you said is's a daily blessing as opposed to a daily struggle (although it can be).

Have you been to Israel? Do you know Hebrew?

================================================

we haven't been to Israel, YET, but yes, we know a little Hebrew...