A Bible Study in EasyEnglish (2800 word vocabulary) on Psalms 120 to 134
Keith Simons
EasyEnglish is a system of simple English designed by Wycliffe Associates (UK). This commentary has not yet received Advanced Theological Checking.
A word list at the end explains words with a *star by them.
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The Songs of Ascent have always been important for both *Jewish and Christian *worship.
*Jewish people read all the Songs of Ascent at the Synagogue (*Jewish place of *worship) each Saturday afternoon.
In many traditional churches, Christians sing or read the Psalms (including the Songs of Ascent) regularly. It is an important part of their *worship.
In modern churches, Christians sing a selection of new and old songs (called hymns) during their *worship. Many of these songs include words from the Psalms. And often, they also read passages from the Psalms at their meetings.
The Songs of Ascent have also provided ideas to poets and writers.
The Rock (a type of music) musician called Bono has written about how the Psalms have helped him. There is a *rumour that his band, called U2, may use ‘Songs of Ascent’ as a possible name for their next CD. They do not intend to sing these Psalms; they will sing their own songs. But it seems that they like the idea of ‘Songs of Ascent’. (See About the title: “Songs of Ascent”.)
In every age, Christian writers have loved the Songs of Ascent. One of many writers who wrote much about them was C.H. Spurgeon. And the Scottish writer, R.M. M‘Cheyne, wrote his own series of 14 poems, which he called ‘Songs of Ascent’. Again, they were not the Psalms, but his own poems. He wrote those poems because he liked the idea of ‘Songs of Ascent’.
Next part: Other ideas about the meaning of “Songs of Ascent”
Index: Psalms 120 to 134: Bible Study and Commentary
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© 2010, Keith Simons.