Psalms of Ascent

Psalms of Ascent Small Group Guides

Starting in January, 2023, our small groups journeyed through Psalms 124-129. For Lent we went through a series called Calm. Quiet. Hope Trust. which included Psalms 130-132. After Easter we returned to finish up with Psalms 133-134.

These Psalms are a part of a section of songs knows as The Psalms of Ascent. This is a special collection of fifteen Psalms, 120-134, also known as Pilgrim Psalms. They were used as a soundtrack for the Jewish people going on spiritual pilgrimage. Families would travel to Jerusalem for the three Jewish festivals: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, and sing these songs on their journey. These songs were used as a preparation for worship as Jewish Pilgrims made their way to the temple during these festivals. This collection is also called Songs of the Steps because there are 15 “steps” heading into the temple. The priest and pilgrim worshipers would sing a song at each step, so of these fifteen psalms would be sung as they ascended to the temple.

Each week groups will gather to meditate on the psalm, discuss the Sunday sermon, and dive deeper into that week's psalm. Groups will also use excerpts from Eugene Peterson's A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Timothy Keller's Songs or Jesus, and music by Poor Bishop Hooper.