The Psalms of Ascent are a reminder of what we possess in Christ. So, let us take up these Psalms. Let us read and remember that Christ built His house, laying Himself as the chief cornerstone. What is more, each of us are living stones situated one beside another creating a beautiful house temple to His glory. Therefore, let each psalm take us on a pilgrimage to our Christ. And there let us be glad and rejoice for we are safe in Him who is our God!
The Psalms of Ascent is a collection of Psalms in the Psalter. There are other collection or groupings of Psalms. This collection is not unique in that sense. However, this collection was a well-worn collection. This dog-eared collection was taken by pilgrims to Jerusalem three times per year on their pilgrimage, hence the title, Psalms of Ascent. These pilgrims were going up to Jerusalem! Some have viewed the 15 Psalms that make up this collection (Psalms 120-134) as the fifteen steps leading up to the temple in Jerusalem.[1]
What is more, this series of Psalms is finely structured. Psalm 127 is the middle Psalm leaving seven on either side. This middle Psalm is the only one in the collection written by Solomon. It is as familiar as it is loved. This is the Psalm that reminds us that “unless the Lord builds the house, those how build labor in vain.” Advice Solomon himself should have paid close attention to during his reign. Yet, the Psalm drives us beyond Solomon to think of Christ.