Reflections on the way...from Psalms

The book of Psalms is not at the end of the Old Testament, but it is the book with which we will end the Old Testament part of our journey. We have met travellers whose journey changed the future for themselves, their families and the history of God's people, and we have met travellers whose journey was seemingly insignificant, mattering only for them. We have shared the journeys of those who travelled in hope and excitement, looking forward to better things, and those whose journey was one of escape or desperation, forced to run away or reluctant to leave. We have begun to see that while travelling is not inevitable, it is a reality for many of God's people and it is often by undertaking a journey that we learn new things about ourselves, about what matters to us and most of all, about the God we worship.

Psalms 120 to 134 are called the Songs of Ascent, and are traditionally thought to have been used as songs to sing while travelling- specifically on a pilgrimage to the temple at Jerusalem. This weekend find time to read each of them- from the call of Psalm 121-

"I lift my eyes to the hills- from where will my help come?"

to the certainty of Psalm 134-

"Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord."

Which of this group of Psalms best voices your hopes, dreams and prayers this Lent?


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