STEVE WEBB - 0:00  
It is probable that Jesus sang these songs when he made his journeys from Galilee to Jerusalem.

INTRO S12E287 - 0:06  
Well, hi there. This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California. Podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we're reading through the entire Bible in a year, and today is Wednesday, so we'll read Psalms, chapters 120 and 121. Before reading each one I'll have a brief introduction, and after the reading I'll have some comments for you. These are very short chapters, so this will be a short show today. I do have an On This Date in Church History. And I'm calling today's episode, “Ascents, Part One”. The show notes for today is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e287. So let's get right to it. 

PSALM 120 INTRO - 0:57  
Psalm 120 is the first in a series of 15 Psalms that have the title, “A Song of Ascents”. Nowhere in Scripture are we told the purpose for these 15 songs, but there are some ideas. According to James Montgomery Boice, quote, “The Talmud says that the 15 songs correspond to the 15 steps between the courtyards of the temple. Some of even supposed that the songs were sung by the Levites from these steps, though this is pure speculation,” unquote. Another thought is that the songs were sung as people made the trip to Jerusalem and the Temple for the three feasts, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Why ascents? Well, of course to ascend is “to go up” and it is a trip up a hill to Jerusalem. It's very common to read that they went up to Jerusalem. Now, G. Campbell Morgan wrote, “We shall consider them as songs sung by those pilgrims who went up to Jerusalem to worship. These songs of desire and hope and approach are appropriate for the Pilgrim’s use as they go up to worship,” unquote. Now with this in mind, it is probable that Jesus sang these songs when he made his journeys from Galilee to Jerusalem. 

PSALM 120 (HSCB) - 2:12  
Psalms, chapter 120.

(1) In my distress I called to the Lord,
and He answered me. 
(2) “Lord, deliver me from lying lips
and a deceitful tongue.” 
(3) What will He give you,
and what will He do to you,
you deceitful tongue? 
(4) A warrior’s sharp arrows
with burning charcoal!  
(5) What misery that I have stayed in Meshech,  
that I have lived among the tents of Kedar!  
(6) I have lived too long
with those who hate peace. 
(7) I am for peace; but when I speak,
they are for war. 

PSALM 121 INTRO - 2:44  
Psalm 121 is the second of the 15th Psalms titled, “A Song of Ascents”. And for those traveling up to Jerusalem, this would be appropriate because it deals with trusting God. 

PSALM 121 (HSCB) - 2:56  
Psalms, chapter 121.

(1) I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from? 
(2) My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. 
(3) He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber. 
(4) Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep. 
(5) The Lord protects you;
the Lord is a shelter right by your side.  
(6) The sun will not strike you by day
or the moon by night. 
(7) The Lord will protect you from all harm;
He will protect your life. 
(8) The Lord will protect your coming and going
both now and forever.

COMMENTS - 3:34  
Beloved, I really liked these short Psalms. Besides being sung on the journey up to Jerusalem, I can easily see these as songs that became popular to be sung as people went about their daily living, especially Psalm 121. I know I've got some favorite songs and choruses from church and I wouldn't be surprised if you do, too. In my imagination I can almost hear a man or a woman singing these songs to the Lord as they go through the day with the cares of the world weighing them down or as they celebrate how God has blessed them in one way or another, can't you?

I'd love to hear your feedback. Go to lifespringmedia.com/s12e287. Tomorrow is Poetry Thursday and we'll complete the book of Proverbs by reading chapter 31.

Boost!

ON THIS DATE IN CHURCH HISTORY - 4:29  
On this date in church history, June 15, 1807, William Nast was born he was a German religious leader and founder of German Methodism. After arriving in America in 1828. He organized German settlers in the Midwest into Methodist congregations and later helped establish German Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, which eventually merged to become Baldwin Wallace University

LSFAB NEWSLETTER AND PODCASTING 2.0 APPS - 5:00  
This morning I sent a few photos of my newest granddaughter to Kirsty to put into this week's newsletter. So if you want to see them, you'll need to be subscribed. If you're not, go to news.lifespringmedia.com. I won't sell or share your information. It's safe with me. That's my promise. And I'll tell you what, I'll even put another photo in the chapters for today's episode. So if you want to see that one, you'll need a modern Podcasting 2.0 podcast app. Get one for free at newpodcastapps.com. Now be aware it normally takes several hours after the show is published before the chapters appear. So don't be concerned if you don't see them right away. It's just the way chapters work. And speaking of Podcasting 2.0, a fella by the name of Nathan Gathright wrote up a short article on his blog called, “A Listeners’ Guide to Boostagrams.” It's a very easy to understand tutorial on how to set up a podcast app to stream and boost sats. If you'd like to see that article, I've linked it up at lifespringmedia.com/boost. Go there and your browser will go directly to the article, lifespringmedia.com/boost.

CLOSING PRAYER - 6:13  
Let's pray. Our Heavenly Father we thank you for your loving care and your protection. As you put today's psalms in the heart of the writers I ask that you put them in our hearts, too. We rejoice in you and we worship you. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have a prayer request or a praise go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com.

OUTRO S12E287 - 6:42  
Comment on the show at lifespringmedia.com/s12e287. Send me an email at steve@lifespringmedia.com. And thank you to Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise. Every week they donate some time and talent to the show and I'm so appreciative.

Thank you for inviting me into your life today and support the show, please, at lifespringmedia.com/support.

Until tomorrow may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai