Psalms 144-146

David was a strong, powerful military leader.  People wrote songs about his heroics.  David didn't sing them.  These are the songs he sang.  Read them and imagine a decorated general singing these words.  It will dramatically color each stanza.

Read them here.

Psalms 141-143

Lord, I call to You; hurry to help me.
I cry aloud to the Lord; I cry aloud to the Lord for mercy.
Lord, hear my prayer.  In Your faithfulness, listen to my plea.

These are the first lines of these three psalms.  What follows from the heart of this desperate child of God?

Read them here.

Psalms 138-140

Though the Lord is exalted,
He takes note of the humble;
but He knows the haughty from a distance.
(Psalm 138:6)

Psalm 139 ... God knows us thoroughly and has since we came to life in our mother's womb.  The only appropriate response?  "Search me, O God, and know my heart."

I want to be known by You, Lord!

Read them here.

Psalms 133-137

All the thankfulness and songs of praise come to an abrupt end when you arrive at Psalm 137.  For there we are transported to a distant land where the psalmist is longing to be home - back in the land of Promise.  Their sin landed them there - and there the joyful songs (like Psalm 136) won't form on their lips.

Read them here.

Psalms 130-132

As you continue in this journey of ascents ... making your way to Jerusalem, these psalms give you much to meditate on.  You can sense the longing to see God, to be with Him, and to be humbled in His presence.

As you near the end of Psalm 132 you get the idea that the psalmist is seeing the Temple - the place one goes to meet with God!

Read them here.

Psalms 125-129

Think about walking toward Jerusalem to worship the God you love.  As you see the mountain before you, these words come spilling from your mouth as you join the chorus of voices on the road...

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion.
It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.
Jerusalem--the mountains surround her.
And the Lord surrounds His people,
both now and forever more.

Get caught up in the praise!

Read them here.

Psalm 120-124

This set of Psalms contains one that God has used in my life more than perhaps any other - Psalm 121.  My son, Collin, even has it tattooed on his arm!

These "Songs of Ascents" were sung by God's people as they made pilgrimage UP to Jerusalem.  All ascended up to that place of worship because it sits at a high elevation from all its surroundings.

They sing of confidence and trust in the Lord.  May they strengthen you in your journey toward the New Jerusalem.

Read them here.