Psalms 120, 121
Psalms 120 to 134 are 15 “songs of degrees;” four were written under inspiration by David, and one by Solomon; the others have no author’s name; we are not told of the particular circumstances under which they were written. The word translated “drees” means “going up” or “ascent;” it is translated “steps” as steps to a throne in 1 Kings 10:1919The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. (1 Kings 10:19); and as steps to an altar in Exodus 20:2626Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. (Exodus 20:26); but in 2 Kings 20 the word is translated “degrees” in connection with a sun dial.
The sun dials of the ancients were however not the clock-like dials which most of us have seen, but probably a series of steps arranged so that the shadow cast by a pillar nearby would fall on them, and so with the passage of the sun across the sky, the time of day could be told. Evidently therefore the songs of degrees are really “songs of ascent,” and it is thought that they were written to be sung on the way up to Jerusalem, and that they will be sung again when redeemed Israelites go there to worship. We shall find the theme of these psalms to ascend gradually from the low ground of distress to the high elevation, of Jerusalem’s walls.
Psalm 120 appears to begin the series with the time spoken of in Daniel 8:23-25,23And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 24And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:23‑25) and the liar and deceiver is the man spoken of by other prophets, as the Assyrian or the king of the north, the power which will rise again to the northeast of Palestine, under Russian over lordship. This seems to be borne out by the” names of Mesech (which is Moscow) and Kedar which is in the same direction.
Psalm 121 is an expression of the fullest trust in Him who is both Creator and the Sovereign Keeper and Guardian of Israel, the mighty Jehovah. Safely will He guard all those who commit themselves to His keeping. How good to be in His hands, who has undertaken, to preserve His beloved ones from all evil!
The subject of Psalm 121 is, of course, in connection with the earth, where all of Israel’s hopes are centered, and it therefore falls short of the Christian’s full blessing, but the same guarding care attends us, as is promised Israel, we can have no doubt.
ML 12/13/1931