The "Songs of Degrees," also known as the "Songs of Ascents," refer to a collection of fifteen psalms within the Book of Psalms, specifically Psalms 120 to 134. These psalms hold a unique place in the Psalter due to their distinct title and thematic elements. The term "degrees" or "ascents" (Hebrew: שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת, Shir HaMa'alot) suggests a connection to rising or ascending, which has led to various interpretations regarding their purpose and use.

Historical and Liturgical Context

The Songs of Degrees are traditionally associated with the pilgrimages to Jerusalem, particularly during the three major Jewish festivals: Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. As the faithful ascended to the holy city, these psalms were likely sung or recited, reflecting the physical and spiritual journey towards the presence of God in the Temple. The ascent to Jerusalem, situated on a hill, provides a fitting backdrop for these psalms, which often express themes of longing, trust, and worship.

Another interpretation links these psalms to the fifteen steps of the Temple in Jerusalem, where the Levites might have sung them during certain ceremonies. This connection emphasizes the liturgical use of the Songs of Degrees in the worship practices of ancient Israel.

Themes and Structure

The Songs of Degrees encompass a range of themes, including deliverance, divine protection, communal worship, and the blessings of unity and family. Despite their brevity, these psalms are rich in imagery and emotion, capturing the essence of the pilgrim's journey both physically and spiritually.

1. Psalm 120: A cry for deliverance from deceitful tongues.
· "In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me." (Psalm 120:1)

2. Psalm 121: Assurance of God's protection.
· "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2)

3. Psalm 122: Joyful anticipation of entering Jerusalem.
· "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD.'" (Psalm 122:1)

4. Psalm 123: A plea for mercy.
· "To You I lift up my eyes, O You who sit enthroned in heaven." (Psalm 123:1)

5. Psalm 124: Thanksgiving for deliverance.
· "If the LORD had not been on our side—let Israel now declare—" (Psalm 124:1)

6. Psalm 125: Confidence in God's protection.
· "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but endures forever." (Psalm 125:1)

7. Psalm 126: Joyful remembrance of restoration.
· "When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers." (Psalm 126:1)

8. Psalm 127: The futility of human effort without God.
· "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1)

9. Psalm 128: Blessings of those who fear the LORD.
· "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways." (Psalm 128:1)

10. Psalm 129: A reflection on past afflictions.
· "Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth—let Israel now declare—" (Psalm 129:1)

11. Psalm 130: A cry for redemption.
· "Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!" (Psalm 130:1)

12. Psalm 131: Humble trust in the LORD.
· "My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty." (Psalm 131:1)

13. Psalm 132: A prayer for the LORD's presence.
· "O LORD, remember on behalf of David all the hardships he endured." (Psalm 132:1)

14. Psalm 133: The beauty of unity among God's people.
· "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!" (Psalm 133:1)

15. Psalm 134: A call to bless the LORD.
· "Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who serve by night in the house of the LORD." (Psalm 134:1)

Theological Significance

The Songs of Degrees emphasize the journey of faith, highlighting the believer's reliance on God's protection and guidance. They reflect the communal and individual aspects of worship, underscoring the importance of unity and trust in the LORD. These psalms serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the joy found in His presence, encouraging believers to seek Him with a humble and devoted heart.Songs of Degrees

SONGS OF DEGREES

See DEGREES, SONGS OF; DIAL OF AHAZ, 7.

Songs Of Degrees

a title given to fifteen Psalms, from 120 to 134 inclusive. Four of them are attributed to David, one is ascribed to the pen of Solomon, and the other ten give no indication of their author. With respect to the term rendered in the Authorized Version "degrees" a great diversity of views prevails, but the most probable opinion is that they were pilgrim songs, sung by the people as they went up to Jerusalem.

After These Things, Her Nine Months Being Fulfilled, Anna Brought ...
... Footnotes: [1628] Corresponding with the fifteen Songs of Degrees, Psalm
120.cxxxiv. See Smith's Dict.--art. Songs of Degrees. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 4 after these things.htm

On the Psalms. I.
... And again, there are also certain others which are called "Songs of degrees," in
number fifteen, as was also the number of the steps of the temple, and which ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on the psalms i.htm

Appendix 1 Massecheth Middoth
... And fifteen steps went up from there to the Court of Israel, like the fifteen
degrees in the Psalms [Songs of Degrees in the Psalms]. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/appendix 1 massecheth middoth.htm

Psalm XXXIX.
... 2. You know that some of the Psalms are entitled, "Songs of Degrees;" and in
the Greek it is obvious enough what the word ?nabathmon means. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxix.htm

Book ix. On Jerusalem and Her Enemies
... [Cant.2:9; Jer.9:21]. The step is the ascent of the spirit; in the title of
the psalms: the songs of degrees. [Ps.119(120):1 Vulgate]. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/book ix on jerusalem and.htm

Looking to the Hills
... The so-called 'Songs of Degrees,' of which this psalm is one, are usually, and
with great probability, attributed to the times of the Exile. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/looking to the hills.htm

Mountains Round Mount Zion
... The so-called 'Songs of Degrees,' of which this psalm is one, are probably a pilgrim's
song-book, and possibly date from the period of the restoration of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/mountains round mount zion.htm

Psalm CXXV.
... 1. This Psalm, belonging to the number of the Songs of Degrees, teacheth us, while
we ascend and raise our minds unto the Lord our God in loving charity and ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxv.htm

As, Then, by the Higher Mystical Ascent from Matters that Concern ...
... Chrysostom, on the Songs of "Degrees" in the Psalms, says that they are so called
because they speak of the going up from Babylon, according to history; but ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter ii as then by.htm

Psalm XC.
... Hence in the Psalms, fifteen "songs of degrees." Hence the waters of the deluge
overtopped the highest mountains by fifteen cubits: [4251] and many other ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xc.htm

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