--- title: Psalms of Ascents devotional series date: 2019-11-04T16:15:00+00:00 author: Tim Coysh canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals" section: Pages --- The Psalms (or Songs) of Ascents, are a set of Psalms that come in the second half of the Psalter (Psalms 120 – 134). They are traditionally associated with pilgrims making the journey to Jerusalem for one of the great festivals in the Temple. Like the other Psalms, they cover the whole range of human emotions as they are brought to God — from joy and thankfulness to the depths of grief. Christians see the Psalms as the prayers of Jesus. In his earthly ministry, Jesus would have made this same journey to Jerusalem many times, culminating of course in the events of the Passion, which took place around the festival of Passover. And like many other Psalms, the Psalms of Ascents are shot through with prophecies of Jesus, just as Jesus himself taught that ​“everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44). Likewise the Church takes up these same words of praise and lament (c.f. Acts 4:25 – 31). So they are also the prayers of Jesus in that they are the prayers of his people, which Jesus brings before the Father as our mediator and advocate. As the author of Hebrews reminds us, we are also to heed the same warnings as those who first prayed the Psalms (Hebrews 4:7 – 11), and remember that we, like them, are pilgrims towards a heavenly city (Hebrews 11:13 – 16, 40 – 41). During the election campaign, we will be using some of these Psalms of Ascents to help guide our prayers. As our current political landscape prompts very different reactions in our churches, we can use these Psalms to pray for ourselves, our fellow believers, and for our country. These Psalms will also help us to ​“fix our eyes on Jesus”, particularly as this election takes place in the run-up to Christmas. Finally, they will also remind us of the city we seek, ​“without foundation, whose architect and builder is God” – even as we cast our votes in whatever city or constituency in which he has placed us. Please join us in prayer over the coming weeks! [ ![Psalm 134](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Mountain path 2](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Mountain-path-2.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-134) [#### Psalm 134 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-134) At the end of every pilgrimage was the return, to live in the light of what God had done [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-134) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-134) [ ![Psalm 133](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![cross mountain hill](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/cross-mountain-hill.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-133) [#### Psalm 133 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-133) “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-133) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-133) [ ![Psalm 132](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Sunset hill cross](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Sunset-hill-cross.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-132) [#### Psalm 132 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-132) Let this Psalm remind us to deny ourselves, prefer others and pray “He must become greater; I must become less" [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-132) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-132) [ ![Psalm 131](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![New Zealand volcano mountains](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/New-Zealand-volcano-mountains.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-131) [#### Psalm 131 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-131) Sometimes it’s not so much what is said, but the tone with which it is delivered that reveals a person’s character [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-131) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-131) [ ![Psalm 129-130](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Coniston descent](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Coniston-descent.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-129-130) [#### Psalm 129-130 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-129-130) In these Psalms we see that the Psalmist does not look back in complaint but in praise [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-129-130) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-129-130) [ ![Psalm 128](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![16210982480 8678f6e723 o 2](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/16210982480_8678f6e723_o-2.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-128) [#### Psalm 128 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-128) It’s sometimes harder to read Psalms about prosperity than those about suffering. [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-128) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-128) [ ![Psalm 127](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![20150112 083225393 i OS 2](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/20150112_083225393_iOS-2.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-127) [#### Psalm 127 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-127) This Psalm begins where we all should: with God building and God guarding [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-127) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-127) [ ![Psalm 126](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![16396669041 81024e2421 o 2](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/16396669041_81024e2421_o-2.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-126) [#### Psalm 126 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-126) “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed." [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-126) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-126) [ ![Psalm 125](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![20180719 222655000 i OS](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/20180719_222655000_iOS.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-125) [#### Psalm 125 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-125) "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever." [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-125) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-125) [ ![Psalm 123-124](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![20180716 114535866 i OS 2](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/20180716_114535866_iOS-2.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-123-124) [#### Psalm 123-124 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-123-124) Our help is in the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-123-124) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-123-124) [ ![Psalm 122](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![IMG 2839 2](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/IMG_2839-2.JPG) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-122) [#### Psalm 122 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-122) Let's remember our hope in heaven and pray for our leaders on earth as we live in its light. [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-122) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-122) [ ![Psalm 121](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Mountain valley 2](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Mountain-valley-2.JPG) ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-121) [#### Psalm 121 ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-121) “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?" [ Read more ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-121) [](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/psalm-121) 1 [2](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/page/2 "Go to page 2") [ ](https://www.eauk.org/general-election-2019/devotionals/page/2 "Next page")