Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble and I'm your host for the Bible Recap.

Today we read seven Psalms that all fall into a category known as the Psalms of

Acent. There are 15 Psalms in this category and they span Psalm 120 through 134.

But before we dig into today's individual

chapters, let's talk about what the Psalms of ascent are. The first thing that's

important to know is that Jerusalem is the city that will eventually be the

nation's capital and it will be the

headquarters of the Tabernacle and the future temple. Jerusalem is at a high

elevation so no matter which way you approach it you have to go up to Jerusalem.

So when all the people of Israel who've been dispersed are it you have to go up to Jerusalem.

So when all the people of Israel,

who've been dispersed all across the land,

come together every year to celebrate the High Holy Days,

they have to make a long journey up to Jerusalem.

Hence the word ascent. And most historians say that as they made

their long pilgrimage three times a year they would sing these 15 songs.

These were their road trip hymns of praise to God, with reminders of who he is and what he has done for them.

And some of them even have language that refers to travel or the things travelers would be particularly mindful of, like Psalm 121, for example.

This is a psalm of confidence.

It points out all the ways Yawe is superior to the pagan gods of the day.

David praises God for being his stability in all times, day and night.

He's a God who is never tired or distracted, unlike the pagan gods of the day who require sleep and are reported to return to the underworld at night.

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