Jerusalem is situated on a high hill. The Songs of Ascent (also “Pilgrim Songs” or “Songs For Pilgrims Ascending To Jerusalem”) are a collection of 15 Psalms traditionally sung by Hebrew pilgrims on the ascent to the city as they traveled to Jerusalem for the three main annual Jewish festivals. The Psalms may not have been originally composed for this purpose, but were later grouped together for use in traveling toward Jerusalem for the festivals. According to some traditions, the Jewish priests also sang some of the Songs of Ascent as they walked up the steps to the temple in Jerusalem.
The themes of each Song of Ascent (Note 1) continue to provide encouragement for those who seek to worship God today. They serve as powerful examples of how we can express our worship and love for God through song and prayer.
God loves it when we pray His Word back to Him. On this Sabbath, let us focus on God’s faithful mercy by praying Psalm 130, A Prayer Of Repentance. Repeat.
Out of the depths I call You, O LORD.
O Lord, listen to my cry;
let Your ears be attentive
to my plea for mercy.
If You were to keep an account of sins, O LORD,
Lord, who would survive?
But with You there is forgiveness,
that You may be feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in His word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the LORD;
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and great power to redeem.
And He will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
Psalm 130, Adapted
Note 1:
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
Four of the songs are attributed to King David (122, 124, 131, 133), one to Solomon (127), and the remaining ten are anonymous.