Psalms of Ascent and Looking Up

The Psalms of Ascent are such a powerful group of verses.

They can powerfully effect our lives and how we think about the difficulties we face each day.

There is so much going on in my life right now. We are prepping to move back overseas, the girls are teenagers, I’m newly diagnosed with MS… but it is life and we are living it to the fullest, trying to fulfill the calling that God has placed on our lives.

We know that He is with us through it all and we can trust His plan.

But… there are still those moments when the things of this life crowd in and kind of take over our thoughts.

Moments when we are looking down instead of UP.

I recently heard Louie Giglio speak about the Psalms of Ascent. About Looking up. Lifting our eyes to Jesus.

These Psalms of Ascent were scriptures from Psalms 120-134 that the Israelite people would sing and pray as they ascended the 15 steps of Solomons Temple.

This was part of their 3 times of appearing before God each year as God commanded in Deuteronomy 16:16.

Three times a year the people would go up to Jerusalem. Now remember, Jerusalem was a high point of Israel. They literally had to GO UP to get there.

They had to look up to the city and know that they were going to meet God there.

I love some of the verses in these songs.

The Psalms of Ascent

“I call on the Lord in my distress and he answers me.” Psalm 120:1

“I will lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

“That is where the tribes GO UP, the tribes of the Lord, to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel.” Psalm 122:4

“I will lift my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven.” Psalm 123:1

“If the Lord had not been on our side – let Israel say – … the raging waters would have swept us away.” Psalm 124:1,5

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” Psalm 125:1

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” Psalm 126:5

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves.” Psalm 127:2

“Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.” Psalm 128:1

“…they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.” Psalm 129:2

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.” Psalm 130:1

“O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” Psalm 131:3

“For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling.” Psalm 132:13

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1

“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” Psalm 134:2

Looking up. Finding our Hope.

Looking up so we can lift our gaze above the fog around us.

Looking up so we can lift the gaze of those around us to the One who saves.

Check out this PDF resource with questions about these Psalms. You can get the sermon series here.

Read the Psalms of Ascent, be reminded to LOOK UP and know where your help comes from.