The Journey to Celebration

Psalm 123 is one of 15 Psalms of Ascent, so named because God required his people to make the mountainous journey to his temple in Jerusalem three times a year. Psalms of Ascent were written to sing and were very communal, drawing God’s people together as they made their uphill journey toward the temple.

Outside of whatever difficulties we face in attending church each Sunday, we really can’t compare the journey God’s people took to get to Jerusalem. However, something we do have in common is that we are all to take a journey toward God, whatever it may entail, to celebrate him. 

But there was no laughter here, just real frustration in their voices; singing their cries for mercy as they walked. Let’s consider together how we can journey to celebration through the tension lamenting brings with looking and longing found in Psalm 123.