What are the Songs of Ascent?
The Songs of Ascents were sung while traveling to the three major Jewish pilgrimage festivals: Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), Shavuot (Pentecost) and Passover. In the four Gospels, there are 44 chapters that take place during one of these three festivals.
- Pentecost – Celebrated the giving of the Torah (First Five Books of the Bible) and the wheat harvest. The Holy Spirit descended upon the Disciples during Pentecost in Acts 2.
- The Feast of Tabernacles – A seven-day feast that celebrated God’s provision for the Israelites in the wilderness. During this feast, Jesus said, “‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” (John 7:37-38) During the illumination of the temple, Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World.” (John 8:12).
- Passover – Commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, when God delivered the Israelites from slavery. The traveling Pilgrams would bring a lamb for the Passover sacrifice at the Temple.
The Bible documents four occasions where Jesus traveled to Passover.
- Passover During Jesus’ Youth. Luke 2:41-42
- Passover right after the Feeding of the 5000. John 6:4
- Passover Early in Jesus’ Ministry John 2:13-25
- The Last Supper. Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-20; John 13:1-30
How did Jesus prepare for these key events in his ministry?
He Sang the Songs of Ascents (Psalm 120-134)
“The fifteen Songs of Ascents describe elements common to all those who apprentice themselves to the Lord Christ and who travel in the Christian way. This first of them (Psalm 120) is the prod that gets them going.” ~ Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
The songs of ascent provide an excellent blueprint for how we should prepare for key events in our own lives: worship through the Scriptures. We hope these songs we’ve created aide in that pursuit.
