- Shir ha Maalot:
Song of Ascents is a title given to fifteen of the Psalms, 120–134 (119–133 in the Septuagint and the Vulgate), each starting with the superscription Shir Hama’aloth (Hebrew: שִׁיר המַעֲלוֹת , meaning “Song of the Ascents”). They are
also variously called Gradual Psalms, Songs of Degrees, Songs of Steps or
Pilgrim Songs.
Four of them (Psalms 122, 124, 131, and 133) are linked in their ascriptions to David, and one (127) to Solomon. Three of them (Psalms 131, 133, and 134) have only three verses.[1] The longest is psalm 132 (18 verses).Song of Ascents is a title given to fifteen of the Psalms, 120–134 (119–133 in the Septuagint and the Vulgate), each starting with the superscription Shir Hama’aloth (Hebrew: שִׁיר המַעֲלוֹת , meaning “Song of the Ascents”). They are also variously called Gradual Psalms, Songs of Degrees, Songs of Steps or Pilgrim Songs.
Four of them (Psalms 122, 124, 131, and 133) are linked in their ascriptions to
David, and one (127) to Solomon. Three of them (Psalms 131, 133, and 134)
have only three verses.[1] The longest is psalm 132 (18 verses).
Many scholars believe the title indicates that these psalms were sung by worshippers as they ascended the road to Jerusalem to attend the three pilgrim festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). Others think they were sung by the Levite singers as they ascended the fifteen steps to minister at the Temple in Jerusalem. One view says the Levites first sang the Songs at the dedication of Solomon’s temple during the night of the fifteenth of Tishri 959 BC.] Another study suggests that they were composed for a celebration after
Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls in 445 BC. Others consider that they may originally have been individual poems which were later collected together and given the title linking them to pilgrimage after thBe abylonian captivity.
They were well suited for being sung by their poetic form and the sentiments they express. “They are characterized by brevity, by a key-word, by epanaphora [i.e., repetition], and by their epigrammatic style…. More than half of them are cheerful, and all of them hopeful.”
Offerliederen
tot
de fonkelende hoogten
Sufi Path of Love 