Psalm 120 speaks of God’s presence during distress. The psalmist cried out to the Lord in his distress, assured that the Lord would hear his cries. He strove to follow after peace and holiness, striving to overcome evil with good. It is difficult for even the most devout to bear up under false accusations in peace, yet the writer is certain that God will punish his persecuters appropriately.

Psalm 121 expresses joyful praise to the Lord. an expression of longing desire and faith. Lifting up one's eyes to the hills of Jerusalem, where God had his earthly abode, was lifting them up to God. True believers then and now, look up to God alone for help.

Psalm 122 is entitled "A Song of Degrees of David", who wrote it for the people to sing as they went up to the holy feasts at Jerusalem. It is the third in this series, and expressed the joy of the author on entering the holy city. When the people entered the gates of the holy city, it was fitting for them to sing of Jerusalem itself, for it was the place where the Lord had revealed himself above the mercy seat, the city God chose for His own inhabitation. Thus, this city was the center of their worship, and it was appropriate for them to invoke the blessing of peace and prosperity upon it.

Psalm 123 is the next Song of Ascents. Notice the sequence of climbing: the first step taken in Psalm 120 had Israel lamenting their troublesome surroundings, and the next saw them lifting their eyes to the hills and resting in assured security. Then they rose to delight in the house of the Lord; but now they look to the Lord himself, and this is the highest ascent of all. It is an earnest and expectant prayer for divine aid in distress, as they patiently await God’s mercy. Whenever any affliction leads God's people, both then and now, to seek help and comfort from God, He is faithful to hear and answer those prayers in His perfect time.

Psalm 124 is another reminder that our help comes only from the Lord, and there was no other way to be saved, but by God alone. The psalmist (David) acknowledges in verses 1-5 that their deliverance was only by God's providence. He then expresses thankfulness for the deliverance in verses 6-8. Verse 8 is also a declaration of confidence in the Lord, the Creator of all things, for all future times of trial.

Psalm 125 is a prayer for God’s blessing upon His people. God always rewards the confidence of His people, and will in due time deliver them. Mount Zion is an emblem of permanence, and the city of Jerusalem is a symbol of security, thus Mt. Zion represents God's permanent protection. Isaiah 54:10 is an assurance that while the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, God's kindness shall not depart, nor His covenant of peace be removed from His people. Those who place their faith in Him will stand unshaken; the people of God will stand sure and be defended by God's providence, and His covenant promise.

Psalm 126 is the seventh Step in the Psalms of Ascents. Seven is a special number in the Scriptures, signifying God's perfection. There is, in fact, special perfection of joy in this Psalm. The Lord has done great things for His people. We see here that not only does Zion abide, but that joy returns after their sorrow. Merely abiding is not enough, fruitfulness is added. It is a Psalm of conversion -- the Israelite's conversion from captivity; yet it may well be used to describe the joy of the conversion of a lost sinner to a ransomed and redeemed soul.

Their deliverance of Zion from this captivity was so surprising that it seemed dream-like, rather than a reality. It is an easy thing for God to grant to his people great and surprising deliverances, and He has often done so in the hour of their deepest distress. The most successful undertakings often begin in the midst of great difficulties and with much weeping.

As Psalm 127 is attributed to Solomon, this psalm was probably associated with the building of the temple. The Psalm divides itself into a narrative, (1-2), a song, (3), a prayer, (4), and a promise. (5-6). In this psalm we see how man’s efforts are useless without God's blessing. We are may think ourselves able and capable; but true success comes only by God's blessing.

This psalm also points to God's plans for building up a house, and a nation: through having many descendants. God was very clear when He instructed the Israelites, through Moses: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up." (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)

God's plan always begins with the family, and children are indeed a blessing from God. It is our responsibility as parents to ensure that we "Train up a child in the way he should go...", as Proverbs 22:6 states, and to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord", as Ephesians 6:4 instructs us.