The Keeper of Peace

Psalm 120:6 Too long have I had my dwelling
    among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace,
    but when I speak, they are for war!

Psalm 121:5 The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
    “May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls
    and security within your towers!”

Having made our way through the longest psalm, we come now to a group of psalms called "The Songs of Ascent." The title refers to the fact that these songs were sung as pilgrims made their way to celebrations in Jerusalem, singing them as they "ascended" up to Mount Zion.  These first three psalms focus on seeking peace.  The first, Psalm 120, begins: In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. All three of them begin with turning towards Jerusalem and calling out to God for help. The next two begin with well-known verses: 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth, with the psalmist looking to the hills of Jerusalem, and 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!” As worshippers made their way to Jerusalem to seek peace, they sang these songs of thanksgiving and praise to prepare for that time. May we do the same today.