The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode Summary: Day 79 – Psalms of Ascent

Date: March 20, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Podcast: Ascension’s Bible in a Year

EPISODE OVERVIEW

On Day 79, Fr. Mike guides listeners through final chapters of Numbers (ch. 34) and Deuteronomy (ch. 33), with a special focus on the “Psalms of Ascent”—beginning with Psalm 120. The episode emphasizes the real, historical nature of biblical events and the spiritual journey mirrored in these texts. Fr. Mike reflects on Moses’ final blessings, the boundaries of the Promised Land, and the pilgrimage traditions of ancient Israel.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Completion of the Desert Wanderings Period

• Scripture Readings:

  • Numbers 34: Boundaries of Canaan and division among tribes
  • Deuteronomy 33: Moses’ final blessings
  • Psalm 120: First of the Psalms of Ascent

• Transition: The Book of Numbers and Deuteronomy are almost complete, setting up a shift to the period of “Conquest and Judges.”

  • “Today it is day 79. We have only two days left, including today, until we’re completed with the Book of Numbers and the book of Deuteronomy…” [00:05]

2. Boundaries of the Promised Land (Numbers 34)

• Focuses on specific, geographical descriptions of Canaan’s boundaries given to Moses.
• Reinforces the idea that the Promised Land is a “real, tangible place”, not just a metaphor.
  • “The Promised Land is not some kind of abstract idea... it is a tangible thing. The boundary lies from here to there to there to there, right? And there’s something really powerful about that for us.” [15:15]
• Lists tribal leaders assigned to oversee the land’s division.

3. The Historicity of Faith

• Christianity and Judaism are historically grounded:
  • “Judaism as well as Christianity are historical religions, is that they happened at a time and a place to certain people. And this is how God has interacted with them and on their behalf.” [16:30]
• Spiritual life is not separate from physical reality:
  • “...what we believe as Christians is that as human beings we are both matter and spirit. We’re made of flesh and our souls, and we’re not one or the other. We’re both together.” [16:51]
• The story of Israel in the Promised Land parallels our own narratives of faith and belonging.

4. Moses’ Final Blessings (Deuteronomy 33)

• Moses blesses each tribe, with some receiving more enthusiastic blessings than others.
  • Notable:
    • Reuben: “Let Reuben live and not die, nor let his men be few.” [18:05]
    • Fr. Mike notes this is “underwhelming” compared to more powerful blessings for Judah, Levi, Joseph, etc.
• The blessings reflect each tribe’s future—some with triumph, others with caution.

5. Introduction to the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120–134)

• Psalm 120 marks the beginning of the Psalms of Ascent, which were central to Jewish pilgrimage traditions.

  • “Psalm 120 marks the beginning of what is called the Psalms of Ascent... typically associated with the three major feasts in the life of the people of Israel...” [19:00]

• Context of Use:

  • Recited during pilgrimages to Jerusalem for major feasts (Passover, Weeks/Pentecost, and Tabernacles/Booths).
  • Physical ascent to Jerusalem mirrored by a spiritual ascent through prayer and song.
  • Historical tradition: pilgrims praying one psalm on each of the 15 steps up to the Second-Temple precincts.
    • “...there were maybe 15 steps. And on each one of these steps, pilgrims would stop on each step and they’d pray the one psalm of ascent for every step.” [20:50]

• Thematic diversity within the Psalms of Ascent:

  • Joy, lament, thanksgiving, confidence, prophecy, wisdom, and royal themes.
    • “...you’d think, okay, these are psalms that you pray on your way up… They... are not all the same. Some of them are hymns, they are songs of joy. Some of them are laments.” [21:54]

• Psalm 120 is a lament—“God is truly present even in times of distress.” [22:40]

  • Relevance: Reminds worshippers that life’s journey encompasses both joy and suffering, but God remains with them in both.

6. Spiritual Application and Reflection

• Unity of worship: All of life’s circumstances should lead to worship, whether in sorrow or joy.
  • “In worshiping God, he doesn’t get anything out of it, but he transforms us into a certain kind of person, a certain kind of people. And that is an incredible gift.” [24:54]
• Ongoing prayer for each other:
  • “My voice might be the one that you hear, but there is someone else whose ears are hearing these words and whose heart is being touched by these words that might need your prayer…” [26:03]

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• On the reality of faith’s history:
  “This is a true story. This is a historical reality. This is something that actually happened. This people of Israel were enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years. They were led through the wilderness for 40 years, and then they entered into this particular place…” [15:32]

• Bodily and spiritual reality:
  “It is entrenched in time and space as well… we are both matter and spirit… it is heaven and earth united.” [16:59]

• On the Psalms of Ascent:
  “These are the Psalms typically associated with the three major feasts... as they made pilgrimage... they would begin praying these Psalms of ascent.” [19:10]

• On worship and transformation:
  “We are called to worship God. Because it is in worshiping God that we truly discover who we are.” [24:44]

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• [00:00–00:44]: Introduction, recap, reading of Numbers 34 and Deuteronomy 33
• [00:44–14:50]: Full reading of Moses’ blessings and Psalm 120
• [15:00]: Fr. Mike’s reflection on the reality and geography of faith
• [18:05]: Noting the modest blessing for Reuben
• [19:00]: Explanation of the Psalms of Ascent and their role in Jewish tradition
• [21:54]: Diversity of the Psalms—lament, thanksgiving, prophecy, etc.
• [22:40]: Reflection on the lament aspect of Psalm 120
• [24:44]: Worship as transformative for the worshipper
• [26:03]: Encouragement for communal prayer among listeners

CONCLUSION & CALL TO ACTION

As Fr. Mike says, this phase of the biblical journey invites listeners to see their own spiritual life as both rooted in history and oriented toward ascent—through struggle and celebration alike. He encourages the community to carry each other in prayer as the pilgrimage through scripture continues.

“Let’s not forget praying for each other as well. Because my voice might be the one that you hear, but there is someone else whose ears are hearing these words and whose heart is being touched by these words that might need your prayer, your prayers in a very powerful and very particular way today.” [26:03]

Next episode: The final day in desert wanderings, continuing into the Psalms of Ascent.