Today’s Reading: Psalm 106 & 133
The “Songs of Ascent” are a special group of Psalms comprised of Psalms 120—134. Also known as “Pilgrim Songs,” these songs were sung by the Jews while on their way to the great Jewish feasts in Jerusalem. They are called songs of “ascent” because Jerusalem is situated on a mountain and to get there, you had to climb one of the uphill roads which led to the city. The pilgrims that flowed from the towns and villages of Judea and Samaria would sing these songs together on the roads, the hills echoing with their songs.
It
must have been an incredible experience to walk together with crowds of other
worshippers up the hills to the city while singing these songs together. Each
of the Pilgrim Songs offered encouragement and joy for those seeking to worship
God. The lyrics of this song collection cover a broad range of the peoples’
relationship with God such as: God’s presence during distress; joyful praise;
God’s mercy; the joy of the Lord; repentance; and a cry for help to the Lord.
In Psalm 133, king David focuses on the blessing of unity and harmony amongst
the people of God.
As
David looked down from his palace, seeing the thousands upon thousands of
faithful worshippers working their way up the hill, he was struck by the
profound blessing of unity. He noticed everyone singing in “unison” and it
impressed on his heart the beauty of oneness and harmony amongst God’s people. It’s
an amazing thing how music binds people together. Especially music sung in
worship of God.
As
David views this spectacle of the pilgrims ascending the mountain, he proclaims
“How
wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” David here draws our
attention to something good and pleasant – unity among the people of God. It is good because it reflects God’s heart and purpose of oneness
among His people. It is pleasant because it
makes life together as God’s people so much more enjoyable than seasons when
constant bickering and conflict dominate.
In
His final hours upon Earth, Jesus prayed for this type of pleasant unity and
harmony amongst His followers. In John 17:20-23, He asked, “that they may be
one even as we are one, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly
one.”
Knowing
that unity is God’s will for His people, every believer should pray for oneness
as Jesus did, and should work to have good and peaceable relationships with all
others (Romans 12:18).
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