Bible Dictionary
Degrees, Song of
The Song of Degrees is a title applied to Psalms 120–134. These fifteen psalms are commonly understood as pilgrim songs sung by worshipers traveling up to Jerusalem for the great festivals.
Definition
The Song of Degrees is the title applied to Psalms 120–134, fifteen psalms also called Songs of Ascents or Pilgrim Songs. The collection is marked by brevity, repeated key words, and an epigrammatic style, and its psalms are generally hopeful.
Biblical Usage
The psalms express sentiments suited to worshipers traveling to Jerusalem for Israel’s three great festivals. Four are attributed to David, one to Solomon, and the remainder are anonymous.
Historical Background
The title most probably arose because pilgrims sang these psalms while going up to Jerusalem. The journey was called an ascent, and the form of the psalms made them suitable for singing along the way.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Song of steps, a title given to each of these fifteen psalms, 120-134 inclusive. The probable origin of this name is the circumstance that these psalms came to be sung by the people on the ascents or goings up to Jerusalem to attend the three great festivals (Deut. 16:16). They were well fitted for being sung by the way from their peculiar form, and from 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.” They are sometimes called “Pilgrim Songs.” Four of them were written by David, one (127) by Solomon, and the rest are anonymous.