Out of Psalm 119, and into the psalms of ascent. The psalms of ascent are wonderful for the Christian journey because they depict a pilgrimage- a journey home to Jerusalem. The Old Testament saints would sing these as they made their trek from wherever they lived to the Temple for worship. Then they would sing them as a community as the priest ascended the staircase and started the worship service.
Psalm 120 is a person caught in the rat race and realizing the need for a break. Kedar and Meshech, immortalized as places of evil, could just as easily be Cedar and Maple City, or Glen Arbor or Empire or Traverse City or Holland or Chicago... I think you get the point (although the Kedar - Cedar connection is almost too good). Going against the grain, as the psalmist does (and Christian obedience often demands), is tiring. But instead of giving up, the psalmist goes on pilgrimage.
But first, there's some stuff to sort out. While we are often called against the grain, careful examination of the truth shows that we go with it. Oh, that deceitful tongue, those prideful thoughts, that heart-chilling apathy! There's some stuff worth shaking off there. They won't help us on the journey.
May you shake off whatever hinders you as you enter your journey for today.
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