Psalms of Ascent: 120-134Psalms of Ascent: 120-134

For the pilgrimage Ascending ZionMiddoth 2.5 links 15 songs to 15 steps leading up to the TempleThey include a number of other ‘genre’ such as individual lament (120), communal confidence (125), penitential (130)

Three pilgrim feasts include Passover (Easter), Pentecost (Weeks or Firstfruits), and Tabernacles.

Broom Tree, Psa 120:4Broom Tree, Psa 120:4

Meschech & Kedar, Psa 120:5Meschech & Kedar, Psa 120:5

Genesis 10:2; Ezek 38:2Genesis 10:2; Ezek 38:2

Most likely this simply means “hostile barbarians”Most likely this simply means “hostile barbarians”

Psa 121Psa 121

It’s ascending pattern fits the genreA. Yahweh is Creator, vv. 1-2B. Yahweh is Israel’s Guardian,

vv. 3-4C. Yahweh is your Guardian,

vv. 5-6D. Blessing, vv. 7-8

Psa 122Psa 122

There is linkage between vv. 6-9 and Luke 19:41-44 & Rev 20:11-15; 21:11-21

Cf. Alonso Schökel and A. Strus, “Salmo 122: Canto al Nombre de Jerusalém,” Biblica 61, (1980): 234-50.

Psa 123Psa 123

May be a war oracle like 12, 60; 74; 79; 30; 83; 85; 90; 94:1-11; 126; 137.

Cf. Duane Christensen, Transformations of the War Oracle in the Old Testament Prophecy (Missoula: Scholars Press, 1975).

2700’2700’

2650’2650’2440’2440’

2500’2500’

Mt Scopus

Psa Psa 125:2125:2

Psa 126Psa 126Like the song of a small band of returning exiles after 538 B.C.

It also shares the stair-like parallelism of Psalm 121

Cf. Alan Harman, “The Setting and Inter-pretation of Psalm 126,” The Reformed Theological Review 44 (1985): 74-80.

Streams in the Negev (v. 4) are torrents!

Psalm Psalm 126126

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” (v. 5)

Psa 127Psa 127vv. 1-2 have echoes in Matt 6-7vv. 3-5 must be read in cultural context. A similar idea is found in 128:1-4vv. 5-8, grass on the roof is transitory and worthless. It is right to rejoice in justice, but remember, God does not delight in the death of the in the death of the wicked (Ezek 18:23; 33:11).

Psa 129Psa 129

Psa 130Psa 130v. 6, the Targum understands the watchman as the Levitical guards

Could we please commit this to memory? If we ever needed this wisdom, it is now.

Psa 131Psa 131

Psa 132Psa 132The archaic structures and metaphors make it an enigma in the songs of ascentThe servant (ebed) motif is picked up by Isaiah as a Messianic term. Used 40x in Psalms as a special term for David (or Moses or Abraham).The Psalm is predicated on the oath God made to David to have a perpetual descendant on the throne (2 Sam 7:12-16)

Psa 133Psa 133v. 2 is an expression of the priesthood of all believers (cf. Exod 19:6; 1 Pet 2:9-10)v. 3 echoes the priestly blessing over the people: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace” (Num 6:24-25)

Psa 134Psa 134