puricare chronicles: SONGS OF ASCENTS - This collection of psalms was composed for worshipers on their way to the temple in Jerusalem. These psalms were climbing songs, travel songs sung by Jewish pilgrims as they walked up the road toward Mount Zion. For the Old Testament believer, the temple was important not so much in itself, but because of the one who dwelt there. For Christians, Jesus is the temple. He is the place where God can be met, the one through whom the Father is worshiped. Through his indwelling Spirit, the highway to Zion now lies within our hearts - “My soul longs . . . for the courts of the LORD.” - Psalms 120-134 are titled the “Songs of Ascents.” This collection of psalms was composed for worshipers on their way to the temple in Jerusalem. These psalms were climbing songs, travel songs sung by Jewish pilgrims as they walked up the road toward Mount Zion. Jewish worship in the Old Testament was seasonal, not weekly. Public worship took place at the temple in Jerusalem during the three great annual festivals. In the spring, Passover commemorated the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Then seven weeks later came Pentecost, marking the giving of God’s Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. Finally, the fall festival of Tabernacles was held to give thanks for the harvest and recalls God’s provision and guidance during the years of wilderness wandering after the exodus.

Saturday, September 19, 2020

SONGS OF ASCENTS - This collection of psalms was composed for worshipers on their way to the temple in Jerusalem. These psalms were climbing songs, travel songs sung by Jewish pilgrims as they walked up the road toward Mount Zion. For the Old Testament believer, the temple was important not so much in itself, but because of the one who dwelt there. For Christians, Jesus is the temple. He is the place where God can be met, the one through whom the Father is worshiped. Through his indwelling Spirit, the highway to Zion now lies within our hearts - “My soul longs . . . for the courts of the LORD.” - Psalms 120-134 are titled the “Songs of Ascents.” This collection of psalms was composed for worshipers on their way to the temple in Jerusalem. These psalms were climbing songs, travel songs sung by Jewish pilgrims as they walked up the road toward Mount Zion. Jewish worship in the Old Testament was seasonal, not weekly. Public worship took place at the temple in Jerusalem during the three great annual festivals. In the spring, Passover commemorated the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Then seven weeks later came Pentecost, marking the giving of God’s Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. Finally, the fall festival of Tabernacles was held to give thanks for the harvest and recalls God’s provision and guidance during the years of wilderness wandering after the exodus.

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Songs of Ascents

This collection of psalms was composed for worshipers on their way to the temple in Jerusalem. These psalms were climbing songs, travel songs sung by Jewish pilgrims as they walked up the road toward Mount Zion. For the Old Testament believer, the temple was important not so much in itself, but because of the one who dwelt there. For Christians, Jesus is the temple. He is the place where God can be met, the one through whom the Father is worshiped. Through his indwelling Spirit, the highway to Zion now lies within our hearts

David Bast

“My soul longs . . . for the courts of the LORD.” - Psalm 84:2

Psalms 120-134 are titled the “Songs of Ascents.”

This collection of psalms was composed for worshipers on their way to the temple in Jerusalem.

These psalms were climbing songs, travel songs sung by Jewish pilgrims as they walked up the road toward Mount Zion.

Jewish worship in the Old Testament was seasonal, not weekly.

Public worship took place at the temple in Jerusalem during the three great annual festivals.

In the spring, Passover commemorated the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

Then seven weeks later came Pentecost, marking the giving of God’s Law to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Finally, the fall festival of Tabernacles was held to give thanks for the harvest and recalls God’s provision and guidance during the years of wilderness wandering after the exodus.

So, faithful Jews gathered in Jerusalem for worship:

o at Passover to remember God’s salvation,

o at Pentecost to give thanks for his Word, and

o at Tabernacles to celebrate his providential care.

For the Old Testament believer, the temple was important not so much in itself, but because of the one who dwelt there.

Longing for the place was really longing for the person, for intimacy with God through worship.

For Christians, Jesus is the temple. He is the place where God can be met, the one through whom the Father is worshiped.

Through his indwelling Spirit, the highway to Zion now lies within our hearts, and we are blessed indeed (verse 5).

As you pray, give thanks that you have free access to the Father through the Son by the Spirit.

Dave Bast retired as the President and Broadcast Minister of Words of Hope in January 2017, after 23 years with the ministry. Prior to his ministry and work at Words of Hope, Dave served as a pastor for 18 years in congregations in the Reformed Church in America. He is the author of several devotional books. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, he has also studied at both the Fuller and Calvin seminaries. Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and four grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.

Words of Hope proclaims the gospel through media in order to build the church in hard-to-reach places.

https://www.woh.org/devotional/2019/03/16/songs-of-ascents/