Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
² As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
³ For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
⁴ Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
⁵ But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!

1) What is a “Song of Ascent”?
The Psalms referenced as the “Songs of Ascent” are Psalms 120-134. This description means just as it says, songs that “ascend” or go up! One thought of study suggests these songs (Psalms) were sung by Jews going up to Jerusalem during the three major festivals because they traveled “up” into the mountains. Others think they were songs speaking spiritually of our progress and maturity in a person’s spiritual life. (www.biblicalresearch.info.com) There are actually several schools of thought about what the titles given to these songs actually means.

2) What analogy does the writer use in verse 2 to explain God’s character?
In verse two, the Psalmist compares God’s protection of His people to the mountains that surround Jerusalem. If you were to look at a map, you would see clearly the mountainous terrain that is found in the Judean countryside. As a traveler, it was not easy to navigate, but with this comparison, we see God’s protection around His people like the mountains around Jerusalem.

3) What two types of people are described by the Psalmist?
In the last part of this Psalm there are two different people that are described: righteous and evildoers (those who have turned aside). The Psalmist is asking for God to show goodness for those who do good and He answers! We are told of the protection in v. 2 afforded those who are of God. The wicked, or evil doers, do not share the same blessing. The Lord leads them away and for those who do wrong, the “scepter of wickedness shall rest upon them.”

1) What is a “Song of Ascent”?
We are reminded in this psalm of the promises of God for those who follow Him. We know that if we trust, despite circumstances, we will not be moved. The constant joy and hope is eternal and “abides forever”, regardless of what our “now” looks like. No matter what the original intention was behind, “Song of Ascents”, we can be encouraged by the Psalmist’s words.

2) What analogy does the writer use in verse two to explain God’s character?
God’s protection is like a mountain that protects a city. The mountains rise up and don’t move. Likewise, the Lord is a God who never moves and is not shaken by life’s tragedies and burdens. We are reminded in this Psalm that “the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forevermore.” There is no end to His mercy and protection. Our feelings of whether God is with us doesn’t drive the Truth that He is there. Whether we feel Him or not, we are surrounded by Him!

3) What two types of people are described by the Psalmist?
We can praise God in loss and trail because we have previously made the choice to follow Him. In making that choice, we are afforded the promises that He offers. God desperately wants to be in relationship with all people, but when we read this Psalm, it’s evident that there are those who have not made that choice. When trial and circumstance, loss and death, joy and defeat come our way as believers, we can stand firm knowing for all eternity, God will not be moved and there is NOTHING that can take us away from His presence. (Romans 8:37-39).

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We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
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