Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

A SONG FOR THE ASCENT TO JERUSALEM The Songs of Degrees

There are 15 Psalms (120-134) that are titled ‘A Song for the Ascent to Jerusalem’ or ‘A Song of Ascents’ (NIV) or ‘Song of Degrees’ (KJV). Four are written by David, one by Solomon and the other ten are anonymous. There has been much scholarship and debate as to what is meant by this title and in particular the word ‘ascent’ which is the Hebrew word ‘ma’aloth’ translated as ‘a journey up, a step, a sun dial, rising thoughts.’ 1 Each of the various theories has merit and in the end, it is probably a com- bination of several of them that can be applied. Most of the theories presented involve worship and singing: 1. The Bringing Up of the Ark to Jerusalem. Two different times David attempted to bring the Ark ‘up’ to Jerusalem to the ‘Tent of David’. The first time he was unsuccessful because he transported it on a cart pulled by oxen; the second time he did it the proper way on the shoulders of the priests: “So all Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord’s covenant to Jerusalem with shouts of joy, the blowing of horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud play- ing on harps and lyres.” (1 Chron. 15:26) The same word is used to describe the bringing up of the Ark from ‘David’s Tent’ to the beautiful Temple of Solomon. 2. Going Up to the Feasts of Israel. The same word, ‘ascents’ describes the going up to Jerusalem by all of Israel to celebrate the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles that is required by the Law of Moses. “Three times each year all the men of Israel must appear (go up) before the Sovereign LORD, the God of Israel.”( Ex. 34:23) It is thought that these psalms were special songs sung by the pilgrims as they climbed the mountainous roads to Jerusalem. 3. The 15 Steps of the Temple of Solomon. There is a tradition recounted in the Midrash, a commentary by the Rabbis of Judaism, that there were 15 steps leading up from the court of Women to the court of Men in the temple upon which ‘the Levites played instruments on the evening of the 1st day of the Feast of Tabernacles in connection with the joy- ful celebration of the water-drawing.’ 2 This is not substantiated by any scripture references but may very well have been true. 4. The Ascending Scale of Music. John Calvin states: ‘I agree with those who are of opinion that it denotes the different musical notes ris- ing in succession.’ 3 There are fifteen notes in a two octave scale, the average range of the human voice. Also the chromatic scale, all the white and black keys of the piano, in western music is 12 notes. In oriental music the chromatic scale is 15 because they have 3 additional semi-tones between our reg- ular notes giving it a unique beauty. They have 15 steps or ‘degrees’ to sing the praises of God. 5. Hezekiah’s Songs. God miraculously healed Hezekiah from a deadly sore and added 15 years to his life corresponding to the 15 ‘Songs of Ascent.’ Isaiah told King Hezekiah that Lord’s sign of his healing would be: “I will cause the sun’s shadow to move ten steps (ma’aloth) backward on the sundial of Ahaz!” (Isa. 38:8) In this the- ory, the ten anonymous ‘Songs of Ascents’ are attributed to Hezekiah as a correlation to the ten de- grees of the sundial. His songs are mentioned in the last verse of the chapter in Isaiah: “Think of it–the Lord has healed me! I will sing his praises with instruments every day of my life in the Temple of the lord.” (Isa. 38:20) 6. The Pilgrim Songs of the Return From Babylon- Many ancient writers attribute these songs to the pilgrim’s ‘Journey to Palestine out of the Babylonian low country.’ 4 The same verb ‘ma’aloth’ (ascent, degree), is used to describe Ezra’s return to Jerusalem: “He had left Babylon on April 8 and came (went up) to Jerusalem on August 4, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.” (Ezra 7:9) Jewish pilgrims were famous for their singing as they walked along the pathway to their homeland.

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