Psalms, chapter 120

(A song for worship 120 Title A song for worship: The Hebrew word that the CEV translates “for worship” means “for going up,” and it appears in the titles of Psalms 120–134. Jerusalem is built on hills, and the temple was located on the hill called Zion. This collection probably was used by worshipers as they were “going up” to Jerusalem for one of the three pilgrimage festivals that all Israelite men were supposed to attend (Deut 16.16). Except for Psalm 132, all the psalms are very short and would have been easy to memorize. They often mention Jerusalem or Zion, the place where the people were going to celebrate the festival (122.2,3,6; 125.1; 126.1; 128.5; 129.5; 132.13,15; 133.3; 134.3). The order of the psalms also suggests their use by worshipers traveling to Jerusalem. Psalm 120 is spoken by someone who lives outside the land (120.5); Psalm 121 is about a journey; Psalm 122 talks about arriving at the temple in Jerusalem; Psalms 123–133 are prayers that could have been used at a festival; and Psalm 134 sounds like a blessing for the trip back home..)