詩篇第一二○至一三四篇是一組詩集，稱之為「上行之詩」。這可能是指敬拜上帝的人在朝聖的旅途中，為了到達耶路撒冷，必須向上走。就地形學而言，聖城要比四周的土地都要高。當朝聖者在重要的節日，走上耶路撒冷，到上帝家敬拜祂的時候，在路上就會唱這些聖詩。

        詩篇第一二○篇的作者受到很大的苦難，因為他的鄰居都仇恨他。他不像那些喜愛暴力與戰爭的仇敵（以比喻的方式描述米設人與基達人的野蠻），因為他是一個愛好和平的人，因此，他不想以暴力方式報復他們，雖然他們惡毒地誹謗他。他在禱告中親近耶和華。他過去經歷過上帝的信實使他相信，上帝一定會再度拯救他，並垂聽他的禱告。由於仇敵的謊言與虛假的舌頭就像鋒利的弓箭，射在他的身上，他們也應該被同樣銳利的箭射擊，並被熾熱的炭火燒烤（比較耶9：3、8；箴26：18、19；雅3：6）。更重要的是，我們從新約聖經中了解，這種說謊的人一定會被炭火燒烤，因為他們要被扔入火湖中（啟21：8）。

        詩篇第一二一篇教導我們，永活的上帝對我們有興趣，並不斷注意我們及看顧我們。詩人的臉朝向座落在聖山的耶路撒冷。他憑著信心仰望上帝的聖城。全能的上帝顯現在耶和華的家中。祂就是創造宇宙的上帝，降格親近祂的百姓，作祂百姓幫助的來源（119：151）。上帝關切祂的百姓，不僅是指全體，也是指其中的每一個人。祂是個人的上帝（33：13~14；代下16：9；箴15：3；來4：13）。我們的上帝是永不睡覺的，祂不像巴力，被以利亞嘲笑為睡著了（王上18：27）。祂一直保護祂的百姓，不使他們受到傷害（例如拿4：6）。不論什麼時候，也不論我們在那裡，祂都會保護，不使我們的身體與靈性受到傷害，直到永遠（比較創28：15）。

        詩篇第一二二篇是朝聖者進入耶路撒冷城大門後，所唱的聖詩。因此，可以視為前兩詩篇的續篇。從各個宗族及家庭來的人都非常愉快地聚集在一起，感謝讚美上帝。在上帝家與其他信徒作屬靈的交通，實在是一種喜悅與特權。敬拜上帝的人感謝的事情之一就是現任君王公義和公正的統治（可能是指大衛本人，或是他的後裔之一，就像大衛一樣，行上帝眼中視為正直的事）。唯有耶路撒冷長保安定、繁榮、和平，他們才能永遠在上帝的家中敬拜神。因此，他們決心為耶城的平安禱告。而耶城的平安，至高的表現，就是當平安之子耶穌以君王的身份治理新耶路撒冷的時候。

        在前一詩篇中，他們舉目仰望耶和華的家。現在，在詩篇第一二三篇中，他們舉目仰望耶和華自己，因為祇有耶和華才能拯救他們脫離苦難。人的眼神常比語言更能溝通。我們要作耶和華的順服僕人，總是要看著我們的主，才好知道祂的心意，執行祂的命令，討祂的喜悅。就像僕人耐心等待接受他主人的恩寵一樣，我們也要盼望上帝的憐憫，以及我們的主人能知道我們的每種需要。

        詩篇第一二四篇用美麗的辭藻描述上帝的拯救，表示如果上帝站在我們這一邊，誰能抵擋我們呢（羅8：31）？如果耶和華站在他們那一邊，朝聖者的滅亡就難以避免了。上帝就在死亡的洪水要淹沒他們之前，拯救了他們。被拯救的朝聖者懷著感恩與信靠的心，感謝上帝賜給的福氣，因為祂不僅賜給他們生命，也賜給他們公正、憐憫，以及重新享受生命的自由，就像一隻剛從籠子裡逃出來的鳥兒，自由自在地在天空中飛翔（比較91：3）。藉著耶穌基督，我們也真的自由了！（約8：36；加5：1）

        耶和華上帝啊，我們今天舉目仰望您，祈求賜給我們日常的幫助和保護。您就是我們的守護神，天地的創造主，絕不會睡覺。我們信靠您保護我們，叫我們脫離罪惡。感謝您賜給我們免於恐懼的自由，因為我們在您那完美的愛中安息。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        Psalms 120 to 134 form a collection called the "Songs of Ascent". This likely refers to the pilgrimage of worshippers who have to ascend in order to get to Jerusalem. The city is topographically higher than the surrounding land. These songs may have been sung as the pilgrims went up to Jerusalem on the joyous occasions of the great feasts when they went to worship in the House of the Lord.

        The writer of Psalm 120 is greatly distressed because his neighbours showed him animosity. Unlike his adversaries, who were violent and loved war (metaphorically described as the barbaric people of Meshech and Kedar), he was a man of peace, therefore he did not take vengeance against them, though they maliciously slandered him. He went to the Lord in prayer. His past experiences of God's faithfulness strengthened the faith that God would again save him, and indeed God heard him. Since the enemies' lying lips and false tongues were like sharp fiery arrows that hit him, they deserved to be shot with equally sharp arrows, and to suffer upon burning hot coals (cf. Jer. 9:3, 8; Prov. 26:18,19; James 3:6). Significantly, we learn from the New Testament that this type of lying people will indeed suffer upon burning coals, for they shall go to the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8).

        Psalm 121 teaches us that our loving God is interested in us and He continually watches over us and cares for us. The psalmist's face is toward Jerusalem, which is in the hill country. He looks up with faith and expectancy toward the Holy City of God. In the Lord's House is the presence of the Almighty God. He who created the universe, condescended to be near His people and to be their source of help (119:151). God watches over His people, not only collectively, but individually. He is a personal God (33:13-14; 2 Chron. 16:9; Prov. 15:3; Heb. 4:13). Unlike the unanswering Baal whom Elijah taunted about sleeping (1 Kings 18:27), our God never sleeps. He is ever watchful to protect us from harm (e.g. Jonah 4:6). He is the One who preserves us, physically and spiritually, at all times, wherever we are, even into eternity (cf. Gen. 28:15).

        Psalm 122 may have been the song the joyous pilgrims sang after they had entered the gates of Jerusalem. As such, it serves as a sequel to the previous two songs of ascent. Those who came to worship God, from all the tribes or families, were so glad to congregate together in unity for the purpose of giving thanks to the Lord. We, likewise should count it a joy and a privilege to have fellowship in God's House with other believers. One of the things for which the worshippers thanked God was the righteous and just rule of their king (possibly David himself or one of his descendants who, like David, did what was right in the sight of the Lord). Their desire was to see the continuance of worship to the Lord at His Holy House which would be possible only if Jerusalem was secure, prosperous, and peaceful. Therefore, they resolved to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. This ultimately means to pray for Jerusalem to see the true peace of God that is found only in His Son Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who will come as the King of the world, to rule and reign from His Holy City, the New Jerusalem.

        In the previous psalm, the pilgrims lifted up their eyes to the House of the Lord. Now, in Psalm 123, they lift up their eyes to the Lord Himself, for only He can deliver them from their distress. The look of the eye can often communicate better than words. We are to be the Lord's submissive servants, always watching our Master that we may do His bidding for His pleasure. Just as the servant waits patiently to receive favour from his master, so we can look to God for mercy, and our Master knows our every need.

        Psalm 124 beautifully describes God's deliverance, expressing that if God is for us, who can be against us (Rom. 8:31)? If it had not been that the Lord was on their side, the pilgrims' destruction would be certain. God rescued them, just in the nick of time, before the flood waters of death overcame them. In gratitude and confidence in Him, the rescued pilgrims express their thanks by blessing the Lord, who has not only given them life, but who has given them justice, mercy, and new-found freedom to enjoy life, like a bird released from captivity (cf. 91:3). Through Jesus Christ, we too have been made free indeed! (John 8:36; Gal. 5:1).

        Lord God, we lift up our eyes to You today and every day for help and protection. You are our Keeper, the Maker of heaven and earth who never sleeps or slumbers. We put our faith and trust in You to protect us from all evil. Thank You for the freedom from fear we have as we rest in Your perfect love.