The Psalms of Ascent are commonly called the Songs of Ascent. These 15 Psalms (Psalms 120-134) are traditionally believed to have been sung by Jewish pilgrims as they made their way of ascent to Jerusalem to celebrate the three pilgrim festivals required in Deuteronomy 16. These three holy days were Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacle. These fifteen songs would prepare the hearts of God’s people as they focused on His presence in the Temple.
Over thirty years ago, Pam had just recently given her heart to the Lord and sensed the Holy Spirit telling her to take a trip to Jerusalem. Upon returning, she told me how when traveling in Jerusalem she had carried water from the Pool of Siloam and made the ascent to the Temple Mount while reading the Psalms (Songs) of Ascent. The evening had turned to night, and Pam was unable to read these Scriptures. Fortunately, the other young woman let Pam know that everything would work out because she had memorized these Psalms. For some reason, I always knew that someday I would memorize these Psalms as well.
Two years ago I felt stirred again to take on this task. I have to confess, memorization wasn’t quite as easy as when I was younger! That being said, little did I know that we would be able to travel to Israel with a group of 14 with the express purpose of walking the streets and walls of Jerusalem, praying for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in Jerusalem and around the world.
On the flight from Newark to Tel Aviv, I wasn’t able to sleep the entire 12 hour flight. Fortunately, this gave me enough time to finalize my memorization until I was able to recite them from start to finish without looking at my Bible. I felt prepared for the trip. And even though I would be descending into Tel Aviv, I felt like my heart was ascending to Jerusalem.
Not only did our small group of intercessors pray the Psalms of Ascent as we carried the waters of the Pool of Siloam up to the gates of the Old City of Jerusalem, but we were also able to pray among thousands of Jews from around the world at the Western Wall. There were thousands there because it was Yom Kippur–the Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur began on Tuesday evening and ended on Wednesday evening. We were there for both the beginning and the end of this day of repentance when the Jewish people seek forgiveness for the sins of the past year. On Wednesday evening, I was able to simply pray the Psalms of Ascent while sitting at the Wall. It was such a privilege to pray the verses from Psalm 126, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May they prosper who love her. May peace be within her walls and prosperity within her palaces. For the sake of my brothers and my friends I will now say, ‘May peace be within her.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek her good.” I’ve been to the Wall many, many times, but never quite had the moment I had that evening. To be in Jerusalem at the Western Wall on Yom Kippur, praying for the revelation of God’s Messiah to be revealed upon the earth, well, it was a humbling to say the least. It felt like I had stepped into something eternal.
Does it matter–this praying? Absolutely! Revelation 5:8 teaches us that there are gold bowls, full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. The Lord wants his people to be praying and declaring His promises in prayer. What promises would we be talking about? Psalm of Ascent 132 declares, “For the LORD has chosen Jerusalem; he has desired it for his home. ‘This is my resting place forever,’ he said. ‘I will live here, for this is the home I desired. I will bless this city and make it prosperous; I will satisfy its poor with food. I will clothe its priests with godliness; its faithful servants will sing for joy. Here I will increase the power of David; my anointed one will be a light for my people. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but he will be a glorious king.’ ” (NLT) As we were praying in Jerusalem, we were praying that the messianic promises concerning Jesus would be fulfilled and that His light and His power would increase upon the earth, that His enemies would once and for all be defeated and that He would be established in His earthly kingdom and reign as King. We were able to fill the gold bowls with these prayers so that they might be poured out upon the earth in fulfillment.
Pam and I will be leading a tour to Israel in May 2019. Unlike this intercessors trip, it will be a trip to Israel from East to West and from North to South. On this trip, you will see the wonderful evidences and confirmations of the Bible, the modern fulfillment of the miracle of Israel, and be able to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and His disciples. I hope you can join us.
The LORD bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Indeed, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel! (Psalm 128:5-6 NAS)
Jim