Towards the end of the Book of Psalms you come to fifteen psalms that are all entitled, A Song of Ascents, beginning with Psalm 120. Nobody really knows why they are introduced this way. The city of Jerusalem is often described in the Bible as the mountain of the Lord, ‘Mount Zion’:
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.’ (Psalm 48)
To be honest, Jerusalem doesn’t feel like a mountain in the way you or I would define one. But the path to Jerusalem from the River Jordan gradually ascends, as you climb further above sea level. This is why the Songs of Ascent were probably chanted by worshippers plodding their way uphill, anticipating a time of feasting and celebration in that holy city.
There are many immortal and familiar lines in these fifteen songs. Here are a few:
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121)
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy… (Psalm 126)
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. (Psalm 127)
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! (Psalm 133)
As worshippers during the era of the New Covenant (i.e. after Jesus) things have changed. We no longer have high holy days and annual festivals prescribed by the Bible.
Speaking personally, the closest thing in my experience that relates to what these Israelites must have felt as they approached Jerusalem, is the church weekend away. Why? Just like this festival moment, it’s an annual event; we all make a journey to be there; there’s a sense of joy and celebration; we have explosive and happy times of worship; our relationships are deepened in beautiful ways; and God’s presence is felt so that all of us leave renewed and changed.
Therefore, I have a strong sense of expectation and anticipation as we look ahead to June and our time away in Ashburnham. We will be looking at the life of David – the highs and the lows – with our guest speaker, Timothy Chaddick.
Can I encourage you to book in before the early bird rate ends tomorrow, midday?