Psalm 120 introduces a series of Psalms called "A Song of Degrees."
The word, "degrees," means "ascents."
The Psalms are psalms of ascents.
They were to be used as Israel climbed the mountainside as they went up to Jerusalem
to worship the Lord at the feasts of Jehovah.

These Psalms might also be called Pilgrim Songs, as those who sung them were pilgrims.
They were sojourners, and in these psalms they came back to their place of worship
where there was quiet communion between kindred spirits around Jehovah God.

So, while there is a plaintive note in these Songs of degrees,
they also warm the heart of the redeemed.
Whether one is old or young or in the prime of life, the heart responds to the invitation,
"Let us go into the house of the Lord."

Stayed Too Long! - 120 -- There must be a holy dissatisfaction with things as they are.
                                                   We must have that great desire within us to have more and more of God in our lives.

Keep Looking Up! - 121 -- During this period of our Christian life the Lord causes us to have a dissatisfaction
                                                  with our present condition.
                                                  This brings into our hearts a realization that we need to know more about our Lord  
                                                  and that we need a closer walk with Him.

Fellowship - 122 -- We must turn away from everything that tends to divide us
                                     We must not be at odds with each other.
                                     God is not pleased with us when we are at odds with our brothers and sisters.
                                     We are all one in Jesus Christ.

Needed Discipline -123 -- Have you arrived at this stage?
                                                  If you love the Lord, you will come to this stage.
                                                 You will learn that though you are a child of God, you are a young child
                                                  and you are immature; therefore, your position is like that of a servant.

Reminiscence - 124 -- As we go through various experiences, there will come a point in our path
                                            when we can look back and say with that pilgrim soul
                                           "The Lord has been for us; the Lord has been on our side; and it is good."

Stage Of Enlightenment - 125 -- Every Christian after trusting in the Lord is in need of being purified.
                                                              We need to be delivered from the sin and death of this sinful world.

Faith - 125 -- The pilgrim praises God for past deliverance.
                          His faith now rises to a confident joy in the present and in the future safety of the believers.
                          They have the faith that they who trust the Lord will be secure forever.

Turnings To God - 126 -- This is the problem in many Christian lives today.
                                                 After years of belief in the Lord Jesus, there is not much growth.
                                                 Christ is not being increased in those lives.
                                                 They are living life in their own self-centered ways.

Building - 127 --God's blessing on His people as their one great necessity and privilege
                               is the subject of this Psalm.
                               Here we are taught that the builders of houses and cities; systems and empires and churches
                               all labor in vain without the Lord.
.

The Lord Builds His House - 127 -- It is by God's working that the vision of
                                                                   and through which the work moves forward.
                                                                   It is in this way that the Lord builds His house.

Building And Growing - 127 -- If there is conflict, either internally or externally,
                                                          no construction can occur -- no growing can occur.
                                                           It is only when the peace of God reigns in hearts and reigns in our midst
                                                           that the building of the church can take place and continue to grow.

Full Of The Spirit And Fruitful - 128 -- Real happiness, real joy, and real peace comes
                                                                         from the fear of the Lord.
                                                                         True happiness is only obtained by those who fear the Lord
                                                                         and walk in His ways.

Life Of Spirit - Life Of Flesh - Part 1 - 129 -- If we are saved by the grace of God, then that life
                                                                                    which is within us carries with it a desire and longing
                                                                                    for spiritual things and for God.
                                                                                    It is sad to see so many of God's people
                                                                                    with little or no desire for Him or for spiritual things.

Life Of Spirit - Life Of Flesh Part 2 - 129 --  We think God should be served in this way or that way.
                                                                                  We do not wait upon the Lord and serve Him in His way.
                                                                             Instead, we serve Him in the energy of our flesh.
                                                                             We must see the futility of the flesh,
                                                                             and depend completely upon the power of the Spirit of God.

Brokenness - 130 -- In Psalm 130 the consciousness of iniquity is so great that the soul is overwhelmed.
                                       What can be left for that simple, naked, sinful self, if the Lord should
                                       withdraw Himself and withhold His grace.

Humility - 131 -- Humility comes out of brokenness. That is the only way to humility.
                               A person can never have real humility if he has not gone through
                               the experience of brokenness.

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