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[1] Psalms 120-134 all have the heading “A Song of Ascents (ma`alah).” Israel’s life was one of pilgrimage/ascent whether it was from Egypt (cf. Deut.26:5-9); going up/ascending to (ma`alah/`alah) Jerusalem to appear before the Most High (’elyown); or return from exile, Three times a year all
your males are to appear before the Lord Yahweh, the God of Israel. For I will drive out nations before you and
enlarge your borders, and no man shall covet your land when you go up (`alah) three times a year to
appear before the Yahweh your God. (Exodus 34:23-24; see also Ezra 7:9) For on the first of the first month he began to go up from (ma`alah) Babylon; and on the
first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his
God was upon him. (Ezra 7:9) These Psalms would have also brought to mind the going up of the
nations to/against Jerusalem (Psalm 47:2,5,9; 87; 124:2-5; Isaiah 7:1,5-6;
14:11-23; 36:1,10). This collection of Psalms commemorating Israel’s past journeys serves
for current use of pilgrims commencing or concluding their travels. |
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[2]
Return from exile ultimately goes back to the curse God placed upon mankind
because of sin, “By the sweat of
your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because
from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”
(Genesis 3:19). |
