These Pilgrim Psalms include chapters 125-128. They are almost certainly covering the time of the post-Babylonian exile. With themes touching on the transcendent value and promises associated with Mount Zion, the provisions of God in terms of children and harvests as well as the need for God’s direction and help in all of one’s pursuits – these Psalms are timeless and full of profound, yet simply wisdom for daily life!
Continue readingThe Songs of Ascent Pt. 1
Tonight we begin with Psalm 120 which is the first of a sub-category of psalms which are referred to as songs of ascent. There are 15 of these psalms in all.
While the individual composers of these Psalms may not have had this intent in mind, they have been used in Judaism for generations as ‘Pilgrim songs’ sung while ascending the hill outside of Jerusalem on major feast days.
In particular these Feasts are the three major annual feasts of Passover, Shavuot (now known as Pentecost), and Sukkot (also known as the Feast of Tabernacles).
Continue readingWrapping up Psalm 119
This is the last 6 segments of this Alphabetic Acrostic Psalm. It covers Pey – Tav in the Hebrew alphabet.
Being container of God’s word, humility leading to the glory of Christ’ likeness, our need for our Creator and the rightness of our calling out to Him, turning towards God and away from wickedness, loving God’s law and the great hope His commandments offer and being marked by God’s sign which delivers from death. All of this and more are in these last segments.
As an additional treat, the final verses under Tav seem to summarize the entire 119th chapter in its emphasis on God’s words and our relationship to it!
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