"The Songs Of Ascents"

by JONES, AUSTIN | Category: The Songs Of Ascents | Oct 1959

(Psalms 120-134)

A short introduction to these Psalms may be helpful. Whilst we have no certain knowledge as to the precise period when all these psalms were written, or as to the authors of all, yet the evident progress of thought expressed in them does lead to suggestions which we hope may be helpful to our readers. In the Revised Version of our Bible, one hundred and fifty psalms are divided into five sections or books. Within the fifth section or book we have what is sometimes termed "the little Psalter" comprising fifteen psalms, called the

Songs of Ascents, or degrees" and sometimes called the " Psalms of the Return."

A brief explanation of the word psalmos may not be out of place. Vine gives psalmos as "primarily a striking or twitching with the fingers on musical instrument strings," and arising from this is the exercise of making melody, not so much upon strings, as with the heart unto the Lord.

Obviously a psalm or song is that which arises from a heart experience. How delightful if we think of the Lord playing upon the heart, and what melody may arise from such an experience! It seems needless to remind fellow-readers what a wealth of spiritual experience lies behind the five books of the Psalms, and the fifteen psalms which we would like briefly to review. Truly many if not all are " gems from the furnace."

It has been suggested that the fifteen psalms known as the Songs of Ascents were composed to commemorate the experiences of those whose hearts were stirred to return to Zion from Babylon to build again the house of the LORD and the wall of Jerusalem. The moving experiences associated therewith are set out for us to read in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. How could they sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? They had no spirit to sing when their tormentors (Psalm 137.3, R.V. margin) asked them to sing one of the songs of Zion. The fitting place for the song of triumph was not down in Babylon (Psalm 120), but in the land and the city of divine choice.

Who can assess the effect upon the spirits of those in captivity as beloved Daniel was found upon his knees (see Daniel 9.3), knowing that the time had arrived for the accomplishing of the desolations on Jerusalem, and though he did not himself return, the Word of God played upon his heart, and he set his face to seek the Lord God. Springing from such prayer was a changed mind in those in captivity. Secular history records that many Jews were exceedingly prosperous and at ease in Babylon, the land of their captivity. Others were stirred up; they became disturbed and exercised about their disobedience to the voice of the LORD through His prophets, and their rebellion against His law.

This we believe can be seen as the background of Psalm 120 for the individual is in distress of soul. Too long his soul had its dwelling with him that hated peace. He boldly avers that he is for peace.

But when I speak, they are for war" (verses 6, 7).

We suggest the background of Psalm 121 is that of exercised individuals on their journey across the desert from Babylon to Zion, and in that experience they knew in a very real way the keeping power of God, for this is essentially a shepherd psalm. The natural tendency is to look to help from the king (see Ezra 8.21) perhaps indicated by the verse,

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: from whence shall my

help come? "

But faith in God triumphs, and the returning ones realize that their help cometh from the LORD.

"My help cometh from the LORD,

Which made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121.1, 2).

They looked from the creature and created things to the Creator.

This Psalm may well rank second to Psalm 23 as the Shepherd psalm.

How appropriate are the words at its conclusion!

The LORD shall keep thy going out and thy coming in,

From this time forth and for evermore."

Looking back on these two steps or ascents (for men who desired to worship are viewed as ascending or going up to Zion), we suggest two truths may be associated with these two Psalms, 120 and 121, namely REPENTANCE and FAITH.

In Psalm 120 the individual is in distress of Soul because he had long dwelt among those who hated peace. Perhaps years had passed when there had been no exercise on the part of himself or others to seek peace or the city of peace, but now his mind is changed, he desires earnestly for peace and the dwelling of peace. Psalm 121 shows us faith rewarded, the captives now returning Singing aloud with joy of the keeping power of their God; and the promise they sang of and experienced its fulfilment on their journey was:

The Lord shalt keep thy going out and thy coming in,

>From this time forth and for evermore" (Psalm 121.8).

We have simply sought to set forth the historical background of these two delightful songs of ascents in relation to the captives released to return from Babylon to Zion, but we may suitably enquire at this juncture what lessons can we learn in regard to the present day from these ascents ?

Like David in the Vale of Elah, as he beheld the trembling forces of Israel shaken by the repeated challenge of the hated Philistine, we can well ask the question, Is there not a cause? " as we behold the disunity that exists in Christendom today-the tragic state of divided forces. Any seeker after God and spiritual things must be completely confused as he perceives the veritable labyrinth into which he or she may be drawn. It was the conviction that these captives in Babylon had which caused them to return to Zion. They knew that amidst the constant warlike intentions of the inhabitants it was impossible to enjoy peace. Never in Babylon could they give effect to the will of God in collective testimony and worship, for that could alone be done in the place of God's choice-Zion.

Is there a similar conviction in your heart, dear reader, that, to give effect to the will of God as set forth in the New Testament pattern in Acts 2.41-42, it will be impossible to do so amidst the innumerable Systems and ideas of men-a veritable Babylon today-a babel of voices, drowning the voice of God to all who are born again?

Light and repentance giveGrant that more perfectly

Those who are unawareThy will may be expressed;

Dark error binds their feetThat gathered saints may show;

In Satan's subtle snare;Thy way of truth is best

Unfold Thy way of unity,So mid this discord men may see

Show them the one Community.Divinely ordered unity."

JONES, AUSTIN | Oct 1959
The Songs Of Ascents