Psalms 120 thru 134 have “A Song of Ascents” at the beginning of each psalm. These were songs that were sung by bands of traveling pilgrims, However, there are different ideas in regards to where these pilgrims were traveling to as they sang these psalms. The two most common ideas are they were sung by the Jews returning from captivity or they were sung by the Jews as they went to Jerusalem for the feasts.
Since four of these psalms are ascribed to David and one to Solomon, some suggest they could not be psalms sung on the return from captivity. However, authorship would not limit the time of their use since both David and Solomon lived and wrote before the captivity. However, these being the psalms sung by the Jews as they made their three pilgrimages to Jerusalem each year to celebrate the feasts, seems a better fit. The argument against that position is that both David and Solomon, as kings of Israel, lived in Jerusalem and would not be among the traveling pilgrims. However, from the reading of these 15 psalms I doubt that it makes any difference of the time of their use. Even though the topics of the psalms differ, you will notice there are recurring ideas among them, primarily that God is the protector and deliverer of His people and blesses them; and the thanksgivings of the people for His protection, deliverance and blessings.
Since four of these psalms are ascribed to David and one to Solomon, some suggest they could not be psalms sung on the return from captivity. However, authorship would not limit the time of their use since both David and Solomon lived and wrote before the captivity. However, these being the psalms sung by the Jews as they made their three pilgrimages to Jerusalem each year to celebrate the feasts, seems a better fit. The argument against that position is that both David and Solomon, as kings of Israel, lived in Jerusalem and would not be among the traveling pilgrims. However, from the reading of these 15 psalms I doubt that it makes any difference of the time of their use. Even though the topics of the psalms differ, you will notice there are recurring ideas among them, primarily that God is the protector and deliverer of His people and blesses them; and the thanksgivings of the people for His protection, deliverance and blessings.
Monday – Read Psalm 126 & 127
Psalm 126 - Thanksgiving For Return From Captivity
Psalm 127 – Prosperity Comes From God
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.
1. Why does the psalmist say the people are rejoicing, verse 1? Because God has restored the fortunes of Zion.
2. What do you think it means, “When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,” verse 1? The psalmist is speaking of God restoring His blessings to His people, Zion, probably referring to their return from captivity.
3. What do you think verse 6 means? The one who continues to work, sow, even in times of sorrow, will come home with shouts of joy because God will reward his labors.
4. What are the two things that the psalmist uses to illustrate the blessings of God in Psalm 127? A house and children.
5. What does the psalmist say about anxious toil, verse 2? It is in vain.
6. What does the psalmist say is the answer for anxious toil? Trust in the Lord.
7. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Thank God for His watch and care over His people.
Tuesday – Read Psalm 128 & 129
Psalm 128 - Prosperity Of Those That Fear God
Psalm 129 - God Delivers His People
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.
8. What does the psalmist say those that fear the LORD do, verse 1? Walk in His ways.
9. What does the psalmist say will happen for those who fear the LORD, verse 2? They will eat the fruit of the labor of their hands.
10. Why does the psalmist ask that the people be blessed by seeing the prosperity of Jerusalem, verse 5? Because Jerusalem was the city of God. If the city of God was blessed, the people of God would be blessed.
11. What does the psalmist say about those who had afflicted him, verse 2? They had not prevailed over him.
12. What does the psalmist say God will do to the wicked? He will cut the cords of the wicked.
13. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Ask God to help you always fear Him and walk in His ways.
Wednesday – Read Psalm 130 & 131
Psalm 130 - Forgiveness Through God’s Love
Psalm 131 - Humble Trust In God
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.
14. Why does the psalmist say no one could stand if God marked iniquities, verse 3? Because all have sinned and our sins are too numerous.
15. What does the psalmist say one can find with God, verse 4? Forgiveness
16. Why does the psalmist say Israel should hope in the LORD, verse 7? Because there is steadfast love in the LORD.
17. What do you think is the meaning of Psalm 131:1? The psalmist does not concerning himself with high and lofty things, but simply trusts in the LORD.
18. What does the psalmist say is the answer for life, verse 3? Hope in the LORD.
19. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Ask God to help you always hope in Him.
Thursday – Read Psalm 132
Messianic – God Blesses The Sanctuary And The Holy City
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.
20. What does the psalmist say was the vow David made to God? He would not rest until he found a resting place for the Tabernacle of God.
21. What does the psalmist say God would be doing if He went to the resting place prepared for Him by David? Honoring David.
22. What does the psalmist say God promised David? That He would raise up one of his descendants and seat him on David’s throne. This is a Messianic promise of Christ.
23 What did God promise to the sons of David? He would sit their sons on the throne if they would obey Him.
24. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Thank God for His promise of sitting the descendant of David, Christ, on his throne to rule His people.
Friday – Read Psalm 133 & 134
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.
25. Why does the psalmist say it is good when brother dwell in unity? Because God blesses them.
26. What is the psalmist calling for the night watchers to do? Raise their hands and bless the Lord.
27. Why do you think the psalmist would be calling for the night watchers to take this action? Because they normally would not be present when the daily offerings and sacrifices are offered because they work at night.
28. Why do you think the psalmist is asking the LORD’s blessings on the night watchers? Because they are the ones that keep things secure during the night.
29. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Thank God for the unity that exists in your church family.
Saturday – Read Psalm 135
Vanity Of Idols
Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared from you during your study.
30. How does the psalmist say he knows the LORD is great? Because He does whatever He pleases.
31. What does the psalmist say the LORD has done to show His greatness? He has made the creation.
32. What does the psalmist say God will do for His people? He vindicates His people and has compassion on His servants.
33. Why does the psalmist say the people should bless the LORD? Because He is the one true God, not like the idols.
34. What does this psalm say to you personally; how does it help you; what does it say to you about your relationship with God?
Prayer: Thank God that each day you are able to see His greatness in the creation.
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