Psalms 120–134 are the Shir HaMaalot—the “Songs of Ascent”. Every year in ancient Israel, the males (and sometimes the full family) headed toward Jerusalem three times for God’s feasts. These fifteen short psalms were sung by the pilgrims while literally climbing the road up to Jerusalem, a journey that typically took seven to ten days.
The Psalms of Ascent have themes that map beautifully onto each of God’s holy day seasons, and this study focuses on how they can prepare us for, and walk us through, the fall feasts.
We begin with the Feast of Trumpets, then the eight days leading toward the Day of Atonement, four days catching our breath and anticipating, then seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles built entirely around the idea of God dwelling with His people—capped by the Eighth Day picturing a new eternal beginning. This study will go slightly out of order on some of the psalms, focusing more on the themes and how they prepare us for, or connect us to, the day.
We recommend the S.O.A.P. approach for this devotional study series.
- Scripture: Read the passage first in your own bible.
- Observation: Consider what jumps out to you as you read, what themes you notice, or how it connects to your life. This will be different for each person.
- Application: Read the devotional notes and prompt questions, and actually answer them (out loud or on paper) to consider how to apply them in your life.
- Prayer: Conclude with prayer, asking God to embed these words and the application in your heart and mind, and meditate on them through the day.
PHASE 1 — THE WAKE-UP CALL
Trumpets opens the fall holy days with a blast designed to wake us up—an alarm and call to war.
Day 1 (Feast of Trumpets): Psalm 120, the wake-up call
“In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and He heard me.” (Psalm 120:1)
The shofar is a call to attention, not comfort. Psalm 120 starts the ascent with a cry from someone living among “a people of unclean lips,” aching to get out of the turmoil and violence of their current circumstances.
The Feast of Trumpets is a wake-up call and a warning—yes, to the world announcing Jesus Christ’s return as the conquering King, but also to each of us eagerly waiting for it today. Jesus asks a question that we should not gloss over as rhetorical: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).
I have to ask myself, have I gotten too comfortable in this world? Does does my heart cry out to God in the way the psalmist shows us, or does the evil, pain, and suffering of the world no longer affect me in the say way?
This day commands God’s people to take stock of where we are before we start climbing…our distress and failings, our fears and where we may be drifting from God. But at the start of this pilgrimage we must not only look at where we’re coming out of, but also have a clear vision of where we’re going—to dwell with God.
We, too, are pilgrims and sojourners in this physical life, and this psalm is a farewell to worldly strife and trouble as we (re-)commit our feet to the path that leads toward a place of eternal peace and safety with God.
But this psalm is not only a wake-up call. It also carries a promise for us that we can call on today and every day. The NLT renders Psalm 120:1 as, “I took my troubles to the Lord, I cried out to Him and He answered my prayer”. Whether it’s pre-holy day trials or the regular distresses of life, God promises that He is present, that He is listening, and that He is faithful to answer our prayers.
Reflect:
→ What is God trying to wake you up to, specifically? About your heart, your thoughts, or where you’ve gotten too comfortable in this world?
→ What’s the place you’ve settled into—a habit, a relationship, a way of thinking—that is at odds with the character and fruits God wants to build in you?
→ Where am I chasing my own solutions and desires, instead of taking my troubles to the Lord and trusting Him to handle them?
PHASE 2 — THE EXAMINED ROAD
Eight ordinary days between Trumpets and Atonement. No holy day lands anywhere in here, no big inflection point. This is the road, the journey through the wilderness.
Day 2: Psalm 121, where do I look for help?
“My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—your Guardian is not asleep” (Ps. 121:2-3, CJB)
You know that feeling when you’re hiking on a steep downhill, and you hit a patch of loose dirt or rocks? You start to slip and slide downward in a freefall, your heart jumps into your throat, not sure where or how you’ll land. You flail about for a branch, and try to catch your feet on something firm. But you realize in that moment that you have little control over how things end.
What is your immediate reaction when “the ground” in life starts crumbling and sliding under your feet? Do you start flailing wildly about, desperately trying to catch hold of something on your own? Or do you look to our Savior, who called this world into existence with His words, walked through a physical life without sinning, and now sits at the Father’s right hand advocating for you?
In this psalm, God promises that He’s not asleep. He never loses focus or gets distracted. And He’s right there to catch our hand and steady us whenever the ground starts to crumble under us…in losses and temptations, in fiery trials and spiritual wilderness. If we are looking to Him for help (v. 1-2).
In the Complete Jewish Bible translation, the language used throughout this psalm is that of a guardian. He is the bodyguard at our side as we traverse the wilderness, scanning for danger, ensuring our safety and peace, providing shade and sustenance, and protecting us from attack in the dark of night. But it requires that we trust Him in that role.
Psalm 121 ends by promising us “The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever” (Ps. 121:7-8, NLT).
Reflect:
→ Where have you been tempted to look for help recently, rather than God?
→ Name one specific thing you need Him to “keep” right now where you feel your feet are slipping or stumbling. How can you grab your Father’s hand and allow Him to steady you?
→ Is there somewhere in your life—if you’re truly honest with yourself—that you feel God has been “asleep” or not paying attention? Talk to Him about it in prayer and ask Him to show you how He’s been guarding and guiding you.
Day 3 —Psalm 122 — Rejoicing in godly community
“I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)
Where Psalm 121 kept your eyes locked on God alone, Psalm 122 opens the lens wider and points us outward—toward the community we’re about to gather with.
It’s an important reminder in the early stages of “ascending” to keep the fall feasts: they were never meant to be a private retreat. There’s real joy and comfort in being surrounded by other believers wrestling through similar challenges, walking toward the same place you are.
Anticipation isn’t the finish line here; it’s supposed to turn into intercession for the people you’ll be shoulder-to-shoulder with. “For my brothers and companions’ sake, I will say, ‘Peace be within you!'” (v.8)…the joy of arriving isn’t just for you alone; it’s meant to be spoken as a blessing over everyone else there too.
Paul exhorted the Ephesians to “Pray…at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere” (Eph. 6:18). There is gladness in the gathering itself, in journeying together, and a shared responsibility and joy in praying for the peace and safety of the brethren rather than just showing up and enjoying it.
→ Does going to the Feast still make you glad, or has it become routine? Be honest.
→ Verses 6–9 say to pray for the peace and prosperity of the gathering. Who around you this season actually needs that prayer?
→ Hebrews 10:24–25 says not to neglect gathering together, but to use it to “stir up one another to love and good works.” Who’s one person you can specifically encourage at this Feast, rather than just enjoy being near?
The remaining days’ studies will be added as we go…
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