Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”

(Isa 2:3; cf. Mic 4:2) 

Jerusalem is built like a city
    that is closely compacted together.
⁴ That is where the tribes go up—
    the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
    according to the statute given to Israel.

(Ps 122:3-4)

Psalms 120 through 134 each bear the inscription, “a song of ascents,” songs sung while heading up to Jerusalem, city built upon a hill, for a festal occasion such as Passover.  Once in Jerusalem, atop Mount Zion is the Temple of the Lord (YHWH), reached by ascending courses of steps.  Pilgrims and priests (and Levites) might chant psalms upon going up the steps. 

Let people of today recall these ascents.  Let us ascend to God in prayer, in mystical discipline, in mind and heart and spirit.  The Most High rewards the journey.

The End