The Psalms of Ascent: Songs for the Journey
If you want to get a feel for what ancient pilgrimages to Jerusalem were like, the best place to look is the Psalms of Ascent—a set of fifteen short psalms (Psalms 120–134) in the Old Testament. These songs were sung by travellers on their way to Jerusalem for the great festivals. You can think of them as a kind of spiritual playlist for the road—a collection of songs that capture the emotions and faith of people on a long journey toward worship.
Together, these psalms give us a picture of what mattered to pilgrims: staying true to God, finding strength in community, trusting in God’s protection, and celebrating the joy of gathering for worship.
If you read the Psalms of Ascent in order, they tell a story. The journey begins far from home, with a cry of frustration and longing:
“Woe is me, that I am an alien in Meshech, that I must live among the tents of Kedar” (Psalm 120:5, NRSV).
Then comes the reminder that God watches over every step:
“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3, NRSV).
The next psalm celebrates the long-awaited arrival in Jerusalem:
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:1–2, NRSV).
From there, Psalms 123–133 move through prayers, songs of trust, blessings, and reflections on community life and worship. Finally, the collection closes with a simple but powerful blessing from the departing pilgrims to the temple servants:
“May the LORD, maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion” (Psalm 134:3, NRSV).
Read as a whole, these psalms describe a spiritual journey—from weariness and longing, through trust and worship, to joy and blessing. They remind us that faith is not just about moments of arrival but about travelling faithfully along the way.
The book that helped me see the Psalms of Ascent in a whole new light is Eugene Peterson’s A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. It explores these psalms as a guide for spiritual growth and discipleship. Peterson inspired my first preaching series on the Psalms of Ascent—one I’ve returned to at least twice since. If you’re looking for devotional reading that helps connect faith to life, I can’t recommend this book enough.
You can find it here (Amazon UK):
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction on Amazon UK (Amazon)
Your brother, Malcolm
