Prepared for Psalms Group, 4/18/21
In Book 5 of the Psalms, there are two great sequences of psalms which were sung at the three Pilgrim Feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, the Egyptian Hallel (113-118), sung especially at Passover, and the Songs of Ascents (120-134). What we can see quite clearly in both series is that the hearts of the people of God were full of joy as they celebrated the redeeming love and redemptive acts of their God. The combination of words and actions served to deepen the people’s sense of thanksgiving and renewed commitment, at least for those who were spiritually sensitive.